‘Either hand him to us..’: Protest erupts in Jalandhar’s Basti Bawa Khel seeking justice for minor

Residents of Jalandhar on Saturday took to the streets of Basti Bawa Khel demanding justice for 13-year-old girl who was murdered in Jalandhar West. The prime accused, Harminder Singh alias Rimpy, is currently on a nine-day police remand.

Apart from murder, he is also charged under the POCSO Act. ASI Mangat Ram who reached the spot with his team after the girl went missing could not find the victim despite searching Rimpy's house.

However, the victim's body was later discovered in bathroom of the same house by locals. Therefore, ASI Mangat Ram was dismissed from service due to negligence in case. Two more Punjab Police personnel have been suspended.

Jalandhar Basti Bawa Khel Protest

One of the protestors said, "Either hand him over to us or hang him to death. This is our only demand. We have no other demands."

Another protestor said, "She was like our own daughter. Bring the accused here and he should be hanged here. Why such crimes don't happen in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, or other Arab countries? Because there there is law of public castration in such crimes. But, in India, corruption, and money works. The accused should be hanged in the public. Try this way and see such crimes will not take place."

As per information received, Jalandhar West ACP reached the spot, spoke to the people, and calmed them down.

More on Jalandhar West case

The postmortem examination in the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl from Paras Estate in Jalandhar West has confirmed that she was strangled to death.

Doctors found deep ligature marks on her neck, along with nail scratches and friction injuries on her body, pointing to sexual assault and a violent struggle.

Forensic samples including swabs taken during the postmortem and the accused’s blood sample have been sent to the laboratory for DNA matching. Police said the DNA report will play a major role in the case.

Investigators are also searching for the accused’s missing mobile phone, which reportedly went missing during the mob assault on him after the girl’s body was discovered.

Police teams have been deployed to trace the device, which is believed to contain crucial evidence.