Punjab Newsline | Bathinda
A heartbreaking case has emerged from Bathinda, where a 19-year-old college student allegedly died by suicide after facing repeated harassment, mental torture and threats from three youths. Hours before her death, the student had reportedly called her mother and narrated her ordeal, expressing fear over threats allegedly issued by the accused.
The deceased, identified as Pinder Kaur, was a resident of Killi Nihal Singh Wala village and was pursuing an Operation Theatre Technician course at Baba Farid College, Deon.
According to a complaint filed by her father, Shivraj Singh, Pinder had been continuously harassed by three youths. One of them, identified as Yadvir Singh alias Ninja alias Jadu, a resident of her village, was allegedly pressuring her to resume their friendship and continue talking to him despite her decision to distance herself.
The complaint further names Shanty Singh, a resident of Foos Mandi, and Lovepreet Singh alias Love, from Kheta Singh Basti. Both allegedly pressured Pinder to befriend them and threatened her with serious consequences if she refused.
On November 2, at around 9 am, Pinder called her mother, Jasvir Kaur, and told her that she was under severe mental stress because of the harassment. She reportedly said that Shanty Singh and Lovepreet Singh were heading towards Jagar Park and had asked her to meet them there. They allegedly threatened to kill her if she failed to reach the park.
Terrified by the threats, Pinder told her mother that she was fed up with the situation. Her mother tried to console her, asking her not to be afraid and urging her to return home, assuring her that the family would support her and find a solution.
However, during the conversation, Jasvir Kaur heard her daughter sobbing before the call suddenly disconnected. Repeated attempts to contact Pinder failed as her mobile phone was switched off.
According to her father's complaint, Pinder had visited her aunt Kirandeep Kaur in Bhagu village on October 31 after college. Following her Sunday holiday, she left for Bathinda by private bus on the morning of November 2.
After losing contact with her, her father and grandfather rushed to Bathinda and searched for her throughout the night at the bus stand, college and Jagar Park, but could not find her.
On November 3, the body of a young woman was spotted floating in the lake at Jagar Park. Police and divers reached the spot and recovered the body, which was identified as Pinder Kaur.
Following the complaint by her father, police registered a case against the three named youths under Sections 108 (abetment of suicide), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police said an investigation is underway and efforts are being made to trace the accused. The allegations against the named youths are being investigated.
