Will ensure speedy probe, SIT head tells ex-councillor’s kin

Tribune News Service

Karnal, November 24

The special investigation team (SIT) is yet to record the statement of the family of former Panipat councillor Harish Sharma, who reportedly committed suicide last week, in spite of an assurance from senior police officers.

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The Panipat police have booked its Superintendent of Police (SP) Manisha Choudhary and two other cops for allegedly abetting the suicide of the former councillor.

The case was registered on a complaint given by Harish’s daughter Anjali Sharma. She alleged in the complaint that her father was harassed by the police officials and two “YouTube channel journalists”.

Anjali was assured that the family’s statement would be recorded soon, but the assurance has not materialised yet.

“I talked to the SIT chief, ADGP Sandeep Khirwar, about the case on Tuesday. He assured me that the investigation will be concluded as soon as possible,” she said.

When contacted, the SIT chief said: “I received the case file on Tuesday the SIT will record the statements of all witnesses as well as take help of the scientific evidence.”

Harish and his daughter, along with eight others, were booked for allegedly selling firecrackers on Diwali in spite of a ban and for misbehaving with the police. On Thursday last week, the former councillor had jumped into the canal. To save him, his friend Rajesh Sharma also jumped. But both drowned.