Magisterial probe into boy''s kidnap and murder

CHANDIGARH :A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the kidnap and murder of a 5-year-old boy from here, even as prohibitory orders were imposed in Burail area where locals staged protests accusing the police of negligence in nabbing the abductors. An official release here said the inquiry was ordered as there were allegations that the police officials concerned did not handle the sensitive case properly which has shocked the conscience of the city. Provincial Civil Service officer M L Sharma has been asked to complete the probe and submit report by January 16.
Khushpreet Singh was kidnapped from outside his residence here on December 21. His parents had paid a ransom of Rs four lakh to the captors. However, the abductors escaped with him and the money after police made a failed rescue bid. His body was found wrapped in a blue bag in Mohali yesterday and it appeared that he was strangled to death three days back, police said. Meanwhile, Section 144 was clamped in Burail after locals took to streets demanding that an FIR be lodged against policemen whose alleged negligence led the boy's death. Police personnel were heavily deployed with anti-riot vehicles positioned in the area. Mild lathicharge and water canons were also used to control agitators, they said. Police had booked four persons for blocking traffic, assaulting some security personnel and damaging government vehicles and property at the area yesterday. Security was also tightened at the government hospital here where postmortem examination of the body was to be conducted. Khushpreet's kin were against the examination, saying a case should be first registered against cops whose alleged negligence led to his murder. The body of Khushpreet Singh, son of a grocer, was found wrapped in a blue bag and he appeared to have been strangled to death three days back, police said.
Khushpreet's kidnappers who were initially in touch with the boy's family broke contact getting the ransom money and did not release the boy from their custody. The alleged negligence in the kidnapping case had led to the transfer of two inspectors including Station House Officer of Sector 34 police station to Police lines. A Special Investigation Team had also been constituted to investigate the case.