Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 6

Amid the tall claims of speedy action, the Patiala police couldn’t file an FIR in a case of suspected murder even after two months of the incident. The post-mortem report of the victim, identified as Poonam of Uttar Pradesh, disclosed that the cause of death was asphyxia, owing to smothering and strangulation. The post-mortem report was released in May.

The police are said to have lodged a complaint under section 174 of the CrPC and taken no follow-up action thereafter in the case. Now, the brother of the deceased is running from pillar to post to get an FIR registered.

Poonam had tied the knot with Sikander, a resident of Mathura Colony, Patiala, one and a half years ago.

Madan, brother of the deceased, who came all the way from UP, said he was being harassed by the police by not registering an FIR in the case. He said: “I am here in Patiala for the past many days to get an FIR registered.”

Inder Pal Chauhan, Station House Officer, said: “We have not received any post-mortem report so far. The brother of the deceased today gave us a photocopy of the report. We will lodge an FIR after getting the original report.”

Yogesh Sharma, Deputy Superintendent of Police, said: “A case should have been registered until now. I will look into the matter immediately.” In the evening, the police said they would register a case under the relevant section. However, no FIR was registered when the reports last came in.

Hospital uploaded report on portal

Doctors at Government Rajindra Hospital said a post-mortem report had to be issued within 24 hours. Moreover, the report was uploaded on an online portal within the stipulated time where the police could access it.