‘Rabies patient shot dead by kin in Majitha’

Mystery shrouds the death of a 60-year-old hydrophobia patient, Jarnail Singh, at Santtu Nangal village in Majitha. He was found dead at his house on May 7. While some alleged Jarnail was killed at the behest of his kin, fearing an outbreak of the disease, the police are clueless as the body has been cremated.

Investigations by The Indian Express revealed that a rifle used for killing Singh was brought from the neighbouring Kandowali village. Majitha police district chief Vibhu Raj had deputed DSP Balraj Singh and Jandher police station SHO Sukhdev Singh to the village. ‘‘We made enquiries, but no one is coming forward with information,’’ said Balraj.

Balraj Singh, however, said some ‘‘prominent persons’’ from Santtu Nangala and adjoining villages, including Kandowali, have been summoned to depose before the inquiry officer on Saturday. Jarnail, who was bitten by a dog two months ago, was suffering from rabies and villagers maintain he died of the disease.

Jarnail, survived by two sons and a daughter, was living in abject poverty. He was sewadar (voluntary worker) at a village gurdwara. Vibhu Raj said a case would be registered only if the murder angle was found to be true.