Policeman kills toddler after argument over cricket

The poor performance of the Indian cricket team in the Champions Trophy has brought tragedy to the family of Kuldeep Bhagat.

The poor performance of the Indian cricket team in the Champions Trophy has brought tragedy to the family of Kuldeep Bhagat. One of their 8220;agitated8221; relatives, ASI Malkit Lal, allegedly killed their two-year-old son after a heated argument over cricket at Bhagat8217;s residence around 8.30 pm on Monday.

Bhagat is a gazetted officer working with the Provident Funds Department, Chandigarh. Lal, who is posted at Ludhiana Police Lines, had come to Chandigarh with his family as he was on duty at the PCA during the cricket matches. He is distant relative of Bhagat and was staying at Bhagat8217;s residence. Bhagat8217;s brother Sandeep and his family also stay in the same house.

8220;They were discussing India8217;s performance in Champions Trophy, when Lal entered a heated argument with Sandeep and suddenly lost his cool. He picked up Lovepreet, who was playing on the floor nearby, and started smashing him against the floor,8221; said Inspector BS Chadha, SHO, Police Station-Industrial Area. He did it twice before Sandeep snatched the kid away but the damage was done. Lovepreet was unconscious. He was rushed to PGI, where the doctors kept him under observation and finally declared him dead yesterday, he added.

A case of murder has been registered against Lal. 8220;He is yet not arrested, because he is admitted in the hospital,8221; the SHO said.

Preliminary investigations indicated that Lal and Bhagat had some 8220;family-dispute8221;, but it was not grave enough to harm a child. Bhagat family refused to make any comment on the issue. Bhagat was not at home when the incident took place. For the last two days the family kept running from pillar to post.

Lal, who allegedly injured himself by hitting his head against the wall after the incident, is presently admitted at PGI and is considered 8220;unfit8221; to make any statement by the doctors.