Latest news with #Harjot
The Print
08-07-2025
- The Print
Dalit teen in Punjab ‘paraded half-naked, head shaved' for ‘facilitating' friend's inter-caste marriage
According to his family members, his alleged 'crime' was that he helped his friend Gurpreet Singh, a man from the Rajput caste, elope with Simran, a woman from the Sikh Ravidas community, a Dalit caste group within Sikhism that traces its lineage to the Chamar community. The incident happened 5 July in Seeda village. Purported videos of the incident show Harjot Singh pleading with the villagers to let him go. In one video, he can be seen begging for mercy. His pleas were not heeded. In another video, his head is being shaved while he is being moved around the village like a criminal. New Delhi: A 17-year-old Dalit boy in Punjab's Ludhiana district was allegedly humiliated by a group of men who shaved his head and beard, blackened his face, and paraded him half-naked while filming the ordeal. The reason: they believed he helped his friend in his inter-caste marriage. Harjot's cousin Satvinder Singh said the assault began after a group of men—identified as Gurpreet alias Gopa, Simranjeet Singh alias Simma, Sandeep alias Sam, Rajveer, and Ramandeep alias Kaka—stormed into a salon where the minor boy happened to be. They dragged him out and began beating him on the street, accusing him of facilitating Gurpreet and Simran's intercaste marriage, Satvinder claimed. 'They had already gotten married in court and were living together in the village. Harjot had nothing to do with their elopement or marriage,' he told ThePrint over the phone. 'Still, they tore his clothes, assaulted him in broad daylight, and paraded him semi-naked through the streets.' The accused suspected Harjot helped Gurpreet keep his whereabouts secret. Satvinder added that the group not only attacked Harjot physically but also humiliated him in public by filming the entire ordeal. 'They forced him to sit on the road while they recorded the video. He has suffered severe trauma and injuries, including internal wounds and head injuries,' he said. 'He was discharged from the hospital just yesterday. The whole episode has left him mentally scarred and socially disgraced.' Also Read: Army jawan held by Punjab police on spying charges, was 'introduced to ISI by Dubai-based smuggler' What police say The Meharban police has registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) including Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 127(2) (wrongful confinement) and Section 351 (criminal intimidation). Additionally, charges under Sections 66A and 67B of the Information Technology Act—which deal with transmission of offensive content and abuse involving minors online—have been added. Relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which addresses crimes against Scheduled Castes and Tribes, have also been invoked. Meharban Station House Officer (SHO) Paramdeep Singh told ThePrint Gurpreet and Simran were adults and they married each other out of their own free will. 'A total of 13 people were involved in this incident. One person has been arrested. He has been booked under the SC/ST Act. The investigation is ongoing,' the officer said. Satvinder added, 'The incident and then the viral video will leave a long term impact on Harjot who has not even turned 18 yet. Nobody would even want to be friends with him now.' (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Gangster Bhagwanpuria's mother, cousin shot dead in Punjab. Rival Bambiha gang claims responsibility
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Dalit man assaulted, paraded half-naked with forcibly-shaved face in Ludhiana village; 1 held
A young Dalit man was assaulted and paraded half-naked with his face forcibly shaved and blackened after his friend eloped with a woman in a village here, police said on Sunday. An official from the Meharban police station confirmed that one of the accused, Simranjeet Singh, has been arrested.(Representative Image/ANI) A viral video of the incident, which happened at Seeda village on the outskirts of Ludhiana on Tuesday, has sparked widespread outrage. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts are on to nab others involved, police added. According to police, Harjot Singh was targeted by the woman's family after they suspected him of helping the couple elope. Harjot's friend and the woman is said to have solemnised their marriage on June 19, following which tensions persisted in the village. On Tuesday, Harjot was at a salon when some men barged in, dragged him out and brutally assaulted him. They forcibly shaved off his beard and moustache, blackened his face, tore his clothes and paraded him semi-naked through the streets while hurling casteist slurs. The men also filmed the act and circulated it on social media, police said. The attackers have been identified as Gurpreet alias Gopa, Simranjeet Singh alias Simma, Sandeep alias Sam, Rajveer, and Ramandeep alias Kaka, they added. An FIR was registered on Saturday under Sections 115(2), 127(2) and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as the provisions of the IT Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Inspector Paramdeep Singh of Meharban police station confirmed that Simranjeet Singh has been arrested. He said all the remaining accused will be brought to book soon. "This is not just a case of physical assault. It is a brutal attack on human dignity. We are investigating the matter thoroughly," said a senior police official. The victim's family has demanded justice and maximum punishment for the accused.
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- New Indian Express
One arrested after Dalit youth assaulted, paraded half-naked in Ludhiana village
LUDHIANA: A young Dalit man was assaulted and paraded half-naked with his face forcibly shaved and blackened after his friend eloped with a woman in a village here, police said on Sunday. A viral video of the incident, which happened at Seeda village on the outskirts of Ludhiana on Tuesday, has sparked widespread outrage. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts are on to nab others involved, police added. According to police, Harjot Singh was targeted by the woman's family after they suspected him of helping the couple elope. Harjot's friend and the woman is said to have solemnised their marriage on June 19, following which tensions persisted in the village. On Tuesday, Harjot was at a salon when some men barged in, dragged him out and brutally assaulted him.
