Barnala police in Punjab Tuesday arrested all four men who allegedly assaulted a head constable late on Sunday, leading to his death the following day. One of the accused has reportedly sustained injuries in a brief encounter with the police.
Darshan Singh, 50, was thrashed by the accused when he, along with a group of other police personnel, tried to broker peace between two parties after a fight broke out between them at a restaurant in 22 acre market.
The accused have been identified as Paramjeet Singh Pamma of Thikriwala village, Jagraj Singh alias Raja of Ralasar village, Vazir Singh Amla of Singhwala village and Gurmeet Singh Cheema of Cheema village. Pamma, who was injured in a brief encounter with the police in Barnala’s Dhanaula area, has been admitted to the civil hospital, officers said.
Confirming the arrests, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav posted on X, “Barnala Police has arrested all 4 accused involved in the killing of HC Darshan Singh after a brief encounter in which one of the accused got injured.1 pistol and 2 live cartridges have been recovered from the accused. Punjab Police has arrested all perpetrators in less than 24 hrs, police is totally committed to make Punjab secure and safe as per vision of CM Bhagwant Mann.”
Addressing media persons on Tuesday, Barnala Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Malik said, “On Tuesday morning, the police party was carrying out checking in the Dhanaula area when an Alto car came from the Barnala side and did not stop at the police naka. Instead, it moved towards a kuchha lane. One person in that vehicle fired at the police party to which inspector Lakhwinder Singh fired back. Eventually, the people in the car were identified as the four accused. In this firing, Paramjeet Singh Pamma got injured and he has been admitted to the civil hospital for treatment.”
A fresh case under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including attempt to murder, and sections under the Arms Act has been lodged against Pamma apart from the murder case.
The accused, who are all middle-aged, former kabaddi players, had entered into a dispute with the staff of a restaurant over the food and drinks bill on Sunday night, following which the owners called the police. A team from City -1 police station soon reached the spot and eventually the accused, who were allegedly under the influence of alcohol, entered into a brawl with the police personnel. During this, they also thrashed head constable Darshan Singh who fell on the road and sustained a head injury. Singh was taken to the civil hospital but he could not be saved.
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Though eight people were present at the time of the incident, the police said that on investigation it was found that only four of them were involved in the assault.
On Monday afternoon, the SSP indicated that they had important inputs in connection with the case and were close to cracking it.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday condoled the death and announced Rs 1 crore ex-gratia for the family of Darshan Singh and another Rs 1 crore as life insurance cover to be paid by HDFC Bank.
