The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a fresh post-mortem examination of Daljeet Singh at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and barred political parties, politicians and other organisations from participating in or interfering with his cremation amid protests in Punjab’s Mansa district.
Justice Sanjay Vashisth directed the Punjab and Chandigarh police chiefs and the PGIMER director to coordinate the examination and ensure that Singh’s last rites are conducted immediately afterwards under adequate security. The court said the mortal remains must be handed over to PGIMER authorities by 10 am on November 4 for the examination and related procedures, including preservation of viscera if required.
The order followed a criminal writ petition filed by Amarjeet Kaur, Singh’s sister, seeking a CBI probe into his death, an independent post-mortem examination and protection for her family. She also sought action against police officials. Singh, a resident of Bhamme Kalan village in Mansa district, was found dead on October 27 after his family learned that his body was lying about 1.5 to 2 kilometres from their residence.
According to submissions recorded by the court, the family initially believed that Singh may have died after consuming a narcotic substance, against the backdrop of protests over Punjab’s drug problem. The petitioner’s counsel said residents and family members wanted to take out a peaceful procession with the body while conducting religious rituals, but alleged that the police administration had acted against protesters and detained some of them.
The court was told that hundreds or thousands of protesters had gathered in the area, creating a tense situation. The state government produced a post-mortem report dated October 28 from AIIMS, Bathinda, which recorded eight injuries on Singh’s body. Additional Advocate General Chanchal K Singla also referred to video footage that allegedly showed Singh with certain suspects outside the house of an accused person at around 9.30 pm, followed by an alleged assault. His body was later found at the location from which relatives recovered it.
The High Court noted that two different versions had emerged regarding the circumstances of Singh’s death. It said the fresh examination would help determine the nature of the injuries, including whether they were ante-mortem, and assist in resolving doubts surrounding the case. The Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory was separately instructed to expedite the examination of Singh’s viscera so that the final result could be placed before the court at the earliest.
The court also referred to a second unnatural-death incident in Mansa district involving Parminder Singh, also known as Jhota, who was allegedly murdered at a chemist shop on October 13. The state told the court that his last rites and post-mortem had not taken place because his body remained in the custody of agitators.
For Singh’s cremation, only his parents, sister, widow, minor children, other relatives and close friends may participate. The Punjab and Chandigarh police chiefs were directed to arrange security and cordon the cremation ground in Sector 25, Chandigarh. Family members must be brought to the site under police protection without injury, intimidation or harassment. The matter will next be heard on November 5.
