An elderly man died following a heated altercation over a fire incident in Barkatpur village, under the jurisdiction of the Julkan police station. The police have launched an investigation into the matter.
The police registered an FIR for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Sections 105 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case was filed against two accused individuals identified as Shera Singh and Balwinder Singh.
According to the complaint filed by Palwinderjit Singh, son of the deceased, the dispute began when the accused set fire to garbage and crop residue in their fields, which are located directly across from the complainant’s residence.
At approximately 10.30 am yesterday, the complainant’s wife alerted him that the duo was burning waste near their home. Despite objections from the family, the accused allegedly refused to extinguish the fire.
Driven by strong winds, the flames spread toward the complainant’s property, engulfing stored fodder, cow dung cakes and other materials. Local villagers and fire brigade personnel eventually brought the blaze under control.
The situation turned fatal when the complainant’s father, Puran Singh, confronted the accused. The FIR states that Shera and Balwinder verbally abused Puran Singh before forcefully pushing him in the chest.
The complainant further alleged that his father’s health deteriorated rapidly after inhaling excessive smoke during the incident and suffering physical trauma during the scuffle. Puran Singh was rushed to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, where doctors declared him brought dead.
The police stated that investigation was in progress. The post-mortem report was awaited to confirm the exact cause of death, the police said, while confirming that both the accused would be arrested shortly.
