17 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : A 26-year-old man died while in Punjab Police custody in Bathinda, with his family alleging that he was subjected to torture during police remand. Police have denied the allegations and said the exact cause of death will be established through the post-mortem examination.
Youth Identified as Daler Singh
The deceased has been identified as Daler Singh, a resident of Multania village in Bathinda.
According to police, Daler was arrested along with his mother and two others in connection with a theft case on Sunday. His health reportedly deteriorated suddenly on Tuesday evening while he was in police remand.
Family Alleges Police Torture
Daler’s father, Bakhshish Singh, alleged that his son was beaten during police remand and that the alleged torture led to his death.
He told reporters that he had warned police that his son suffered from Hepatitis C and had asked them not to assault him. The family has demanded strict action against those responsible.
Police Deny Allegations
Bathinda (Rural) DSP Harvinder Singh Sra rejected the family’s allegations as baseless.
According to the police version, Daler’s health suddenly deteriorated during remand on Tuesday evening. A police team took him to a health centre in Sangat, where he received first aid before being referred to Bathinda Civil Hospital because a senior doctor was unavailable.
Police said Daler was taken to the civil hospital in an official vehicle because an ambulance was not available at the time, but he died before doctors could begin treatment.
Post-Mortem to Establish Cause of Death
Authorities have said the post-mortem report will be crucial in determining the exact cause of death.
The police have also indicated that CCTV footage from the police station will be examined as part of the investigation.
Judicial Inquiry to Be Ordered
Since the death occurred during police custody, the DSP said a judicial inquiry would be marked into the incident.
The inquiry is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Daler’s detention, his health condition, the events leading up to his deterioration and the treatment provided after he fell ill.
What Led to the Arrest
According to Daler’s father, the youth had gone to Jai Singhwala village on September 13 to recover his motorcycle after it was involved in an accident.
The family alleged that local residents mistook him for someone involved in theft of electricity wires and handed him over to the police. Daler was subsequently arrested in connection with a theft case.
The police have said local residents had been concerned about recent thefts of electricity wires, motors and other equipment in the area.
Family Seeks Justice
Daler’s father said he met his son at the court complex following his arrest and found him apparently well at that time. He was later informed that Daler had died during police remand.
The family is seeking accountability, while the police maintain that allegations of torture are unsubstantiated at this stage.
Investigation Remains Underway
The case has raised questions about custodial safeguards and the circumstances surrounding the death. However, the allegations of torture have not been established, and the cause of death remains subject to medical and judicial inquiry.
Daler leaves behind a two-year-old son. His mother and another accused person remain in police custody, while two other people allegedly involved in the theft case are yet to be arrested.