Forced to fish out body from canal, man drowns

KARNAL: A 36-year-old man on Tuesday drowned in the Western Yamuna Canal near Barota village of Karnal district when he was trying to fish out a body. The deceased has been identified as Sandeep, son of a retired ASI and native of Ugala village in Ambala district.
His family members have alleged that Sandeep was forcefully sent into the river by the police personnel to fish out a body even though he was not an expert swimmer.
On Tuesday late night, the kin of the deceased protested in front of the house of the superintendent of police (SP) and demanded a case be registered against the police personnel involved. After the protest, three cops have been suspended and a case registered.
According to the information, a body was found floating in the Western Yamuna Canal near Barota village. On receiving the information, sub inspector Krishan, head constable Krishan, and assistant head constable Bijendra from Madhuban police station reached on the spot. Retired sub inspector Rampal has alleged in his police complaint that his 36-year-old son Sandeep, who was standing near the bridge, was approached by the three police personnel. They reportedly asked his son if he knew swimming and after he replied in the affirmative, the cops forced him to enter the canal to fish out the body. Due to the heavy flow of water, Sandeep drowned.
Rampal further alleged after Sandeep’s body was fished out by divers, the said police personnel took him to Archana Hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead. The police staff left the body at Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College, Karnal, and did not even inform the family, he added.
“Three police personnel sub inspector Krishan, head constable Krishan and assistant head constable Bijendra have been suspended. Action will be taken on the basis of the complaint that has been given by the deceased’s family. The body has been handed over to his kin,” said Gharaunda DSP Ramdutt.
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