Killed During Farmers' Protest, Shubhkaran Singh Autopsy Points To ‘Firearm’ Injury: Report

Shubhkaran, 21, a Bhatinda native, was killed and 12 security officers were injured in confrontations near Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border on February 21.

Members of various NGOs take part in a candlelight vigil in tribute to a farmer who was allegedly killed in police action at Khanauri border amid farmers' protest. ( Image Source :PTI )

Protesting farmer Shubhkaran Singh died from a gunshot injury sustained during conflicts between farmers and Haryana security officers at the Khanauri border crossing last week, according to the post-mortem report, Hindustan Times reported. The report also mentioned the existence of 'foreign bodies' in his cranium. Shubhkaran, 21, a Bhatinda native, was killed and 12 security officers were injured in confrontations near Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border on February 21. The incident occurred when several protesting farmers attempted to approach police barricades set up to impede their "Delhi Chalo" march.

According to a HT's report, a CT scan before the autopsy revealed multiple metal pellets in his skull.

The post-mortem test revealed an injury mark on the occipital region (the rearmost portion of the head) but no other damage marks on his body, according to the HT.

The metal pellets recovered in Shubhkaran's skull were also turned over to the police, who may send them to ballistics experts to determine the type of firearm that killed him, according to persons familiar with the case, HT reported.

Doctors stated that they had submitted the report to the Patiala police.

Shubhkaran was cremated on Thursday.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, seven days after his death, Punjab Police filed a murder charge. 

The Punjab Police have filed a complaint at Patiala's Patran Police Station under sections 302 (murder) and 114 (abettor present while an act is committed) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

According to the FIR filed in response to Shubhkaran's father's complaint, the case has been launched against an unnamed individual, with the location of occurrence listed as Garhi in Haryana's Jind district.