The family of Sushewal Dalit sarpanch Chaman Lal, who committed suicide on June 4, has alleged that Balachaur DSP Lakhvir Singh had been harassing them for no other reason.
In spite of directions from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to the SSP Dhanpreet Kaur to not give the charge of investigation to the DSP Lakhvir, he continues to head the case.
Sources said that the DSP reached at community hall of a temple in the village around 7 am on Tuesday and reportedly summoned the familt to come there after making a public announcement.
Talking to Hindustan Times, Paramjeet Singh, the nephew of Chaman Lal, said, "We were not informed by police that DSP would be in the village on Tuesday morning".
"Panchayat member Kishan Lal arrived at our home and asked us to visit the temple."
At the hall, more than 50 family members and relatives of the six arrested accused had gathered.
"The DSP started harassing by asking us the same questions that we had answered previously. There was no attempt to investigate. It was a simple ploy to intimidate us," alleged Paramjeet.
Manjeet Kaur, sister-in-law of Chaman Lal, alleged the DSP mis-behaved with her when she asked the DSP for the public questioning and claimed that the no lady constable was accompanying the DSP at the community hall of temple.
Manjeet Singh, a relative of the victim, said that family members of arrested accused were claiming that they had bribed the police and that their members will be released soon.
This is second time in the last 10 days that the family has leveled serious allegations of harassment against the DSP.
Manjeet Singh, a relative of the victim, said that family members of arrested accused were claiming that they had bribed the police and that their members will be released soon.
This is second time in the last 10 days that the family has leveled serious allegations of harassment against the DSP.
Lambasting the Nawanshahr police and DSP Balachaur, Nimisha Mehta, state vice-president of Punjab Pradesh Mahila Congress said it was really shocking that DSP Balachaur could behave in such a rough manner with a grief-stricken family.
Former MLA Shingara Ram Sahungra and BSP leader Ranjeet Sajjan also accused DSP for causing harassment to family members of Chaman Lal.
When contacted, DSP Balachaur Lakhvir Singh refuted allegations of harassment and said that he visited the village to investigate an angle in the case.
"I want to zero-in on the real culprits who were behind the nine accused named in the suicide note," said the DSP.
SSP Dhanpreet Kaur failed to answer repeated calls. DIG (Ropar) RK Jaiswal said that he was on leave till June 30 and claimed that he no knowledge of the case.