Chandigarh/Bathinda: Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday modified its earlier order and allowed the family of Mansa resident Daljeet Singh, whose death had sparked protests against the drug menace, to perform his last rites at their village, Bhamme Kalan, in Mansa district on Thursday before noon.The HC also directed Punjab Police to ensure security at the cremation ground and other places. On Nov 3, Justice Sanjay Vashisth had directed the last rites to be performed at the Sector 25 cremation ground in Chandigarh after a fresh postmortem at PGIMER. He modified the order on a petition filed by Daljeet’s widow, Paramjit Kaur.The second autopsy was completed at PGIMER, Chandigarh, on Wednesday.Appearing for the widow and mother, senior advocate Baltej Singh Sidhu submitted that as per traditions and belief, it was the strong desire of the family members that all last rites and rituals of the deceased be performed at their native place.The bench noted that it deemed it appropriate to first listen to the wishes of Daljeet Singh’s sister Amarjeet Kaur, the petitioner, and his widow.Justice Vashisth noted that both women were apprised of the proposed order in a language known to them and, after carefully listening and understanding the entire matrix, consented to the suggestion that the remains be taken directly from PGIMER, Chandigarh, to the cremation ground at their native place. Both had given their consensus before the court that all last rites, rituals, ceremonies and cremation could be performed in the presence of immediate family members and other close relatives.Senior advocate P S Ahluwalia, appearing for Amarjeet Kaur, stated that she had no objection to the modification of the Nov 3 order.The bench then directed that after the fresh postmortem, Daljeet Singh’s remains be kept in the PGIMER mortuary on Nov 4, with security from Chandigarh Police, and the cremation then be held at Bhamme Kalan on Nov 5. “After reaching at the place of cremation, all rites, rituals, ceremonies and cremation of the deceased, shall be performed, as per wishes of the family members in the cremation ground only. The mortal remains of the deceased shall not be allowed to be taken to any other place for the purpose of performing any rites or rituals etc.,” the bench ordered.It clarified that as desired by Amarjeet Kaur and Paramjit Kaur, no political party or politician, whether belonging to the incumbent party or opposition, or any other group or organisation, would be permitted to participate in or interfere with the cremation arrangements.The authorities were directed to ensure that no person created any disturbance or obstruction either while shifting the mortal remains.
