Kin of Dalit man who died following aircraft crash in Bathinda seek govt compensation

The first victim, Govind Kumar, 32, a farm labourer from Haryana, had died at the crash site. He was among those who had gathered immediately after the incident.

According to Kaur, her husband Singh, a daily wage labourer and resident of Kothe Natha Singh Wale in Mehma Sawai, was injured on May 7 when a military aircraft crashed in the fields near Akalia Kalan village. He was taken to AIIMS, Bathinda, for treatment, but died later.

Kaur wrote that the family depends entirely on manual labour for income and has no alternative source of livelihood following Singh’s death. She also stated that her children, Jagmeet Singh, 15, and Gagandeep Kaur, 14, are still in school and have no means of support. She requested government compensation and assistance for the family’s welfare and the education of the children.

A General Diary Detail police report of May 11 corroborates the incident. According to a statement recorded in the report by Singh’s younger brother Virval, the deceased had stayed overnight at the fields where he worked and was among the villagers who rushed to assist after the aircraft crashed and caught fire. He was reportedly helping others extinguish the flames when the aircraft exploded, injuring several people, including Singh and his son Jagmeet.

The injured were initially taken to the government hospital in Goniana Mandi, and later referred to Bathinda, as per the report. Due to the severity of his head injuries, Singh was transferred to AIIMS, where he died.

The Diary Detail further notes that the explosion occurred accidentally. No foul play has been reported, and the family has declined to pursue legal action against anyone involved. Based on a statement from the deceased’s brother, officers had initiated proceedings under Section 194 (investigating death) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Govind Kumar, the first victim of the explosion, is survived by his wife Mamta, daughter Pari, and son Prashant. He was the youngest of four siblings and had lost both parents as a teenager.

According to family members, Kumar had arrived in Bathinda a few days prior to the incident with his cousin and friends. The group worked as daily wagers, loading wheat bags at a local mandi, and stayed in a temporary shelter built in a field. Kumar’s family has also reportedly approached the Bathinda district administration seeking financial compensation.