Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A fresh twist has emerged in the Gulzar Singh suicide case in Punjab, with his family now alleging that the administration pressured his son and other relatives to conduct his last rites.
The family released a video together, saying they were not allowed to complete the funeral proceedings according to their wishes.
The family said they would not perform the customary rituals of collecting the ashes and the subsequent bhog ceremony until they receive justice in the case.
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They also appealed to people across Punjab to support their demand for justice and said their fight would continue until Gulzar Singh’s family receives what they believe is due justice.
The allegations come a day after the funeral of Gulzar Singh, a 50-year-old resident of Tur Banjara village in Punjab’s Dirba constituency, was conducted amid heavy police security.
FAMILY SAYS ADMINISTRATION PUT PRESSURE
In the video, Gulzar Singh’s family alleged that administrative officials put pressure on his son and other family members regarding the funeral. They claimed that they had to proceed with the last rites under pressure and could not carry out the ceremony according to their wishes.
The latest claim is significant because, on the previous evening, Gulzar Singh’s son had said that he was satisfied with the investigation and that there was pressure on the family, adding another layer to the controversy surrounding the case.
However, there are conflicting accounts about the circumstances surrounding the funeral.
According to earlier reports, the family agreed to the last rites after assurances that one family member would be provided a government job and that compensation would be given. The funeral was subsequently held in Tur Banjara under heavy police security.
At the time, family members had also said that they were not under any pressure and that Gulzar Singh’s funeral was being conducted with their consent.
FUNERAL WITNESSES HECTIC SCENES
There was a brief commotion at the cremation ground over the funeral arrangements, with some people opposing the decision to conduct the last rites under the reported settlement.
Political leaders and workers from different parties had also been visiting Gulzar Singh’s residence since morning, as the case has become a major political issue in Punjab.
WHAT HAPPENED TO GULZAR SINGH?
Gulzar Singh had raised concerns about the alleged open sale of drugs in his village and his son’s heroin addiction before Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. His family has alleged that he was subsequently pressured by members of the village panchayat to apologise. The panchayat has denied the allegation.
Gulzar Singh later attempted suicide and subsequently died, triggering widespread political controversy. An FIR was registered against the village sarpanch and others for alleged abetment to suicide and harassment under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Opposition parties have targeted the Aam Aadmi Party government over the incident, accusing it of failing to address Punjab’s drug crisis despite its repeated claims of action against narcotics.
The National Human Rights Commission has also taken cognisance of the matter. Police and other authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Gulzar Singh’s death and the allegations made by his family.
The latest allegations over his last rites are expected to add further pressure on the administration as the investigation into the circumstances preceding his death continues.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
