Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], January 16 (HBTV): The Uttarakhand Police Headquarters on Thursday ordered an intensive investigation into the suicide of Sukhwant Singh, a resident of Paiga in Udham Singh Nagar, who allegedly shot himself in a hotel room in Kathgodam, Haldwani, on the night of January 10.
Before his death, Singh uploaded a video levellying serious allegations against several property dealers and police officials. The Police Headquarters directed an in-depth probe into the case.
A five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police (STF) Nilesh Anand Bharne. The team includes SP Champawat Ajay Ganpati, Circle Officer Tanakpur Vandana Verma, Inspector Diwan Singh Bisht of Champawat, and Sub-Inspector Manish Khatri of Champawat.
In the interest of a fair and transparent investigation, the police have suspended and transferred 12 personnel with immediate effect. These include three Sub-Inspectors, one Additional Sub-Inspector, one Head Constable and seven Constables, who have been posted to Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts under the Garhwal Range.
Authorities have also instructed a detailed examination of the video circulated on social media and the complaint sent by the deceased via email, which contains allegations against local individuals and personnel of the Udham Singh Nagar Police. The Police Headquarters said appropriate legal action would be taken based on verified facts.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured justice to the family of Sukhwant Singh, a farmer from Kashipur, stating that ‘no negligence will be tolerated at any level’. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to a fair and thorough probe, adding that those found responsible would not be spared.
The Chief Minister also spoke to the deceased’s brother, Parvinder Singh, over the phone, expressing condolences and offering assurance to the family. He later directed senior officials to act promptly and ordered the Kumaon Commissioner to conduct a magisterial inquiry.
Earlier, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat expressed concern over the incident and urged the government to take action. Singh had alleged harassment and extortion by Udham Singh Nagar police in a Facebook Live video before his death, referring to a land fraud case and alleged pressure from police and property dealers.
Reacting to the incident, Rawat said the allegations raised serious questions about law and order in the state and called for justice for the deceased farmer and his family.
(ANI)