CBI may chargesheet Jagir Kaur for murder

“We are gathering medical evidence on the effects of the sedative but it was undoubtedly a very crude method for causing her death,” a senior CBI official handling the case said. “The confessional statement of Balwinder Singh, the doctor from Begowal, proved to be most vital for us. We already have evidence to show that Jagir Kaur was in touch with Dalwinder Kaur in the Jasdil mansion at Phagwara and was told about her daughters’ deteriorating condition on the fateful day.”

CBI sources say it was almost certain that the trio will be chargesheeted under sections 302 (murder) and 120-B of the IPC, with Dalwinder Kaur’s domestic helpers, Satya, Harvinder and Sanjiv, and gunman Nishan Singh probably being named as co-conspirators.

However, Jagir Kaur has stoutly denied any foreknowledge of her daughter’s death. CBI sources say that during two rounds of interrogation, the SGPC President said she was ignorant about Harpreet’s love affair with Kamaljit, the fact that she had an abortion or the circumstances of her sudden death. She has maintained all along that she had sent Dr Tarsem Singh to treat her when she was ailing and that she has been completely distraught over her death.

Nishan Singh has also denied allegations about a pre-meditated plan and has, in fact, made counter-charges of torture and frame-up against the investigating agency.

The CBI is now claiming that it was Dr Tarsem Singh — who belongs to the same religious sect as Jagir Kaur — who gave it the first breakthrough in the case. He withdrew the statement given by him to the Punjab Police and in a confessional statement recorded at Delhi’s Patiala House courts, admitted that the SGPC President had pressured him to concoct the story about treating Harpreet Kaur.

The second medical practitioner who proved to be useful was Dr Satpal — and his wife, Dalbir Kaur — at whose clinic in Kartarpur named `Anmol’ the CBI alleges Harpreet’s abortion was forcefully conducted. The real identity of the patient was concealed from Dr Satpal when she was taken to the clinic and there is evidence that the girl was brought to the clinic in a sedated condition. The abortion was done on March 19.

It was Dr Tarsem Singh who led the CBI to Dr Balwinder Singh, who now appears to be the star witness in the case. Balwinder Singh, in his confession recorded in court, according to the agency, has admitted to purchasing the sedatives and the fact that they were crushed and administered with food and drinks to the unsuspecting girl with the knowledge of Jagir Kaur, Dalwinder Singh and Paramjit Singh.