In a case that has garnered significant attention and outcry, Kapurthala police have finally taken action over two weeks after two brothers — 40-year-old Manavjit Singh Dhillon and 36-year-old Jashanbir Singh Dhillon — plunged into the Beas River, accusing the Jalandhar Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Navdeep Singh of abetting their suicide.
The case was lodged following the recovery of the body of one of the brothers, Jashanbir. The two brothers had jumped into the river on August 17.
The accused police personnel, including SHO Navdeep Singh, a woman constable, and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Balvir Kumar, have been booked under Sections 306 (abetment of suicide), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). As of now, all the accused — posted in Jalandhar district — have not been arrested.
The ordeal began on August 16 when Manavjit Singh and others visited a police station in Jalandhar for a meeting regarding a matrimonial dispute involving a friend’s sister. Allegedly, the in-laws of the woman misbehaved with her, and Manavjit Singh, and the police sided with the husband’s family.
Later, an altercation took place between SHO Navdeep Singh and Manavjit. The SHO reportedly physically assaulted Manavjit, causing his turban to fall off. The police also detained Manavjit overnight and released on bail only after providing security bonds.
Taking the humiliation suffered by his elder brother to his heart, Jashanbir left home without informing anyone. Later when Manavjit called him, Jashanbir informed that he was contemplating suicide due to the SHO’s mistreatment.
Manavjit reached the Goindwal Sahib Bridge along with his friend Manavdeep Singh (on whose complaint the FIR was registered against SHO and others), where they attempted to dissuade Jashanbir. Tragically, Jashanbir jumped into the river, and in a desperate attempt to save his brother, Manavjit also dived in.
Despite the police's efforts to locate them, the strong current of the river hindered their rescue operation. Jashanbir’s body was recovered from the fields near the Beas River in Sultanpur Lodhi area on Saturday, while the other brother's body remains missing. The father of the deceased maintained that he would not cremate the body until the body of his other son is traced.
The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by Manavdeep Singh, a friend of one of the brothers and an eyewitness.
While Inspector Navdeep Singh claimed that Manavjit had misbehaved with a policewoman and was detained under Section 107/151 of the CrPC as a preventive measure, the family of the deceased has been demanding justice for their sons.
The shifting of SHO Navdeep Singh to police lines occurred following pressure from various political parties, including Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Leaders and workers organized candlelight marches and demanded justice for the victim's family.
Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has also called for the immediate arrest of the accused Jalandhar SHO and his colleagues. He also criticized the silence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Cabinet colleagues on the issue, emphasizing the insensitivity of the AAP Government towards the tragedy.
The case has raised concerns about the police conduct and the need for accountability and transparency in handling such incidents. Investigations are ongoing, and public sentiment remains deeply affected by this tragic incident.
Bajwa seeks immediate arrest of accused Jalandhar SHO, his 2 colleagues
Expressing solidarity with the grieved family, whose two sons committed suicide after allegedly being humiliated by the Jalandhar SHO, the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa on Sunday sought the arrest of the accused SHO and his two colleagues.
“A lookout circular must be issued to ensure that all three accused don't flee the country. The deafening silence of the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Cabinet colleagues on the issue demonstrates the callousness of the Aam Aadmi Party government. Why has no statement been issued by the Punjab Chief Minister, who is otherwise known for his motor-mouth,” said Bajwa.
Senior Congress leader Bajwa said that the body of one of the sons, Jashandeep Dhillon, had been found yet the AAP administration had no clue about the body of the second son. The administration's insensitivity can be assessed because no effort was made to trace the other son's body.
“Meanwhile, Jatinderpal Dhillon, the father of Jashandeep Dhillon, has said that he would not cremate the body of Jashandeep until the accused SHO, Navdeep Singh, and his two colleagues are arrested and the body of his other son, Manavjit Dhillon is traced. Punjab CM, who holds the home portfolio, should explain why the accused SHO and his two colleagues have not been arrested so far. Why were they being shielded?” Bajwa asked.
Senior Congress leader said that with the recovery of Jashandeep’s body, it has been established that both of the brothers committed suicide and the SHO was falsely claiming that the mobile of one of the brothers was on for a few seconds. He attempted to produce fake evidence to distort the reality.
“Punjab CM seems to have been reduced to the job of a charioteer, whose services are used when the AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has to travel on an aircraft at the expense of Punjab exchequer. The citizens of Punjab are his least priority,” Bajwa added.