Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Four Drug De-Addiction Center Inmates in Bathinda
In a devastating incident, four inmates of a drug de-addiction center located in Haryana's Rori region lost their lives after their vehicle overturned and collided with a tree in Punjab's Bathinda district on Sunday. The fatal crash has raised serious questions about the management practices of the rehabilitation facility.
Victims Identified as Residents of Barnala and Mansa Districts
The deceased have been officially identified as Balpreet Singh from Dhanaula in Barnala district, along with Harpreet Singh, Gursimran Singh, and Jashandeep Singh, all of whom were residents of Mansa district. Balpreet Singh had been admitted to the de-addiction center on February 6, just a month after returning from a two-and-a-half-year stay in the United Kingdom.
Police Register Case Against Center Owners
Following a complaint filed by Sukhwinder Singh, the father of Balpreet Singh, police have registered a case under charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The accused include the center owners, Ranjit Singh and Arun Kumar, as well as an unidentified individual. Sukhwinder Singh alleged that the center forcibly sent the four inmates to Maur Kalan village to retrieve another addict, Amandeep Singh.
Details of the Fatal Journey
The tragic accident occurred near Sandoha village during the return journey from Maur Kalan. While the four inmates succumbed to their injuries, Amandeep Singh sustained minor injuries and survived the crash. Sukhwinder Singh further claimed that the owners acted illegally by deploying patients, who were not in a fit state of mind, for such external tasks.
Legal Action and Investigation Underway
Maur police station SHO Inspector Tarundeep Singh confirmed to TOI that a case has been registered under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Authorities are currently conducting raids to apprehend the suspects. The incident highlights potential negligence and mismanagement within private de-addiction centers, prompting calls for stricter regulations and oversight.
- The car crash resulted in the deaths of four inmates from a Haryana-based drug de-addiction center.
- Victims were identified as residents of Barnala and Mansa districts in Punjab.
- Police have filed a case against the center owners for culpable homicide.
- The accident occurred during a trip to bring another addict to the facility.
- Authorities are actively pursuing the suspects through ongoing raids.
