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Dera followers’ murder: After death of father, grandpa, this 8-year-old stares at uncertain future

An 8-year-old Diya Sharma, daughter of deceased Ramesh Kumar, is staring at an uncertain future of her family after a death of her father and grandfather Satpal Kumar who were followers of Dera Sacha Sauda.

Updated on: Feb 27, 2017, 15:10:32 IST
Hindustan Times, Jagera (Ludhiana) | By , Jagera(Ludhiana)
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An 8-year-old Diya Sharma, daughter of deceased Ramesh Kumar, is staring at an uncertain future of her family after a death of her father and grandfather Satpal Kumar who were followers of Dera Sacha Sauda.

Diya Sharma, daughter of deceased Ramesh Kumar Sharma, in Ludhiana on Sunday. (JS Grewal/HT)
Diya Sharma, daughter of deceased Ramesh Kumar Sharma, in Ludhiana on Sunday. (JS Grewal/HT)

Diya has developed a problem in her right eye from her childhood and is undergoing treatment for her eye.

“Doctors have told me that I could get my eyesight back if I am treated regularly. As my father and grandfather have been killed, who will pay for my treatment and take care of our family,” said Diya.

“I don’t think that I could get my eyesight back. Moreover, future of the family is in dark. I don’t know what my father and grandfather did wrong to the killers, who mercilessly killed both of them. I want the killers to be hanged publically,” she added.

Diya is the only child of Ramesh Kumar. She, along with her mother Madhubala and grandmother Kamlesh, was brought to congregation centre (Naam Charcha Ghar) at Jagera village of Khanna on Malerkotla Road, where bodies of Satpal Kumar and Ramesh Kumar were kept.

Her mother Madubala is inconsolable. Relatives and neighbours also huddled at congregation centre to pay condolence.

Satpal Kumar was an accountant at a brick kiln while Ramesh Kumar was a trader. He used to supply belts, wallets and fashion accessories to different shops.

Sandeep Sharma, brother-in-law of Ramesh Kumar, said that the family is a firm believer of Dera Sacha Sauda and has been following for the last 40 years. Raj Kumar, elder brother of Satpal Kumar, did not marry and had spent his whole life serving humanity at Dera. Satpal and Ramesh used to visit congregation centre regularly and to do ‘sewa’.

  • Tarsem Singh Deogan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Tarsem Singh Deogan

    Tarsem Singh Deogan is the Bureau Head of Hindustan Times in Ludhiana, a position he has held since 2023. With over 26 years of experience in active journalism, he has built a reputation for in-depth and ground-level reporting. He extensively covers crime, courts, district administration and political affairs, keeping a close watch on developments that shape public life. When not reporting on news and current affairs, he enjoys exploring the hills on his superbike and pursuing wildlife photography.Read More