CM visits slain policeman's family, assures action

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday visited Rampura village and met the family of the policeman who was shot dead allegedly by a local Shiromani Akali Dal leader after he resisted the harassment of his daughter by the politician and his aides.

Badal met the family members of slain Assistant Sub-inspector Ravinderpal Singh and expressed his condolences.

Singh's daughter told Badal that her father was publicly beaten by the accused before being shot dead. The 23-year-old girl told the chief minister that the accused also slapped her repeatedly before passers-by.

She claimed the Station House Officer of the police station concerned was "equally responsible" for not acting on her complaint against the accused.

The SHO has been dismissed.

After listening to her, Badal, while expressing sympathy with the family, said the Punjab government would extend all possible help to the family, since Ravinderpal was an honest and hard working officer.

Badal said, "One should not give political colour to this issue, but share sympathy with the family."

Talking about the accused, Badal said Ranjit Singh Rana was not an old party worker since he was admitted in the party fold recently and the party was not aware about his character.

"No leniency should be shown with the accused involved in the murder of ASI," Badal said.

Rana was SAD's secretary for the last three months. He, along with his four accomplices, had allegedly shot dead ASI Ravinderpal on December 5.

Rana, along with three of his accomplices, were arrested by the police the next day.