High court modifies order, Daljit Singh's last rites to be held in native village today

Modifying its earlier issued orders, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has allowed the last rites of Daljit Singh, a resident of village Bhamme Kalan in Mansa district, to be performed in his native village. Justice Sanjay Vashisth has directed that the cremation be completed before Thursday afternoon.

This relief came following a hearing on a fresh petition filed by the deceased's wife Paramjit Kaur and mother. Their advocate Baltej Singh Sidhu submitted before the bench that according to family traditions and customs, they wish to perform the cremation in their own village. The petitioner and the deceased's sister Amarjit Kaur also expressed their consent to this change.

The court has directed that after the completion of the second post-mortem at PGIMER Chandigarh, the body should be taken directly under police protection to the cremation ground in Bhamme Kalan. According to the orders, taking the body anywhere else except the cremation ground will be prohibited and all religious rituals will be completed at the cremation ground itself.

The bench has also clarified that no political party, leader, or outside organization will have the right to participate in the cremation or interfere in any way with the arrangements. Punjab and Chandigarh police have been ordered to deploy adequate security so that no disruption is caused.

Earlier, the court had on November 3 asked for the last rites to be performed in Chandigarh itself, against which the family had filed an application stating that this order was pronounced without hearing them.

Daljit Singh died on October 27. The family had alleged that death occurred due to a drug overdose, whereas according to the murder case registered by the police, he was beaten up. Nothing has yet been proved in court.

Key developments

• High court modifies previous order, allows cremation in native village
• Court takes decision on application by Daljit's wife and mother
• Last rites to be held in family's presence before Thursday afternoon
• Complete bar on participation of political leaders and outside organizations
• Body to be brought directly from PGI Chandigarh to Bhamme Kalan cremation ground