Pregnant woman ‘thrashed’ by cops

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, May 9

A pregnant woman was allegedly thrashed by police constables over her husband’s dispute with his colleagues in Haleemwala alias Dhani Rampura village in Jalalabad subdivision of Fazilka district.

Admitted to the local civil hospital, Rajinder Kaur (32) told The Tribune that constable Harbans Singh, another unidentified policeman deployed at City Police, Jalalabad, and two teachers had stormed into her house at about 4 pm on May 7.

They asked about the whereabouts of her husband Gurdarshan Singh from her mother-in-law Balwant Kaur and allegedly thrashed her.

When seven-month pregnant Rajinder Kaur tried to intervene, they also beat her up. She claimed that her labour pain began immediately after the thrashing. She was admitted to the local civil hospital.

Rajinder Kaur’s father-in-law Puran Singh, who was present at the hospital, alleged that no police officials came to record their statement.

Puran Singh said that his son Gurdarshan Singh, who is a computer teacher at Sarian village of Jalalabad subdivision, had some monetary dispute with the other teachers.

So, they brought the police to their residence to press upon his son to settle the account. But as he (Puran) and his son Gurdarshan were not in the house, they allegedly thrashed the women, said Puran.

Senior Medical Officer, District Hospital, Fazilka, Dr Rajesh Sharma said that the medico-legal report (MLR) has been sent to the authorities concerned and the condition of the patient is stable. She has been advised to undergo ultrasound scan but due to the lack of the facility at the local hospital, she has been directed to go to Medical College, Faridkot, for it.

While talking to The Tribune, Balbir Chand, officiating Station House Officer, City Police, Jalalabad, brushed aside the allegations.

He clarified that the Jalalabad court had issued warrant against Gurdarshan Singh under Section 138 of the IPC (dishonour of cheque). So, Harbans Singh and the others went to arrest him. The SHO alleged that the women tried to protect Gurdarshan and helped him flee.

from The Tribune https://ift.tt/2K8IzZG