In a startling development, Punjab’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dalbir Singh Deol, 54, an Arjuna awardee and former Asian Games gold medallist in weightlifting, was discovered dead under perplexing circumstances in Jalandhar on Monday. The body, bearing multiple injuries, was found abandoned near a canal at Basti Bawa Khel, situated on the outskirts of Jalandhar town, early in the morning.
Deol, serving at the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) headquarters in Jalandhar, had reportedly ventured out for New Year celebrations with friends on Saturday evening. However, concerns arose when he failed to return home, prompting his family to file a missing person report that eventually led to the grim discovery.
The DSP, acclaimed for his achievements in weightlifting and honored with the Arjuna Award in 2000, had been involved in an incident on December 16. In an inebriated state, he had fired shots after a dispute with locals from Basti Ibrahim Khan village in Jalandhar who objected to his public drinking. Although briefly detained, Deol was released the following day as a compromise was reached between both parties.
Allegedly consuming alcohol with village sarpanch Bhupinder Singh Gill at a parking lot, Deol faced resistance from residents disapproving of his behavior. Videos from the scene depicted a confrontation between the DSP, the sarpanch, and the villagers, during which Deol brandished his firearm. Witnesses reported that four shots were fired before the situation was brought under control by the villagers, who subsequently handed both Deol and the sarpanch to the authorities.
Kartarpur DSP Balbir Singh clarified that no formal case was registered as an agreement had been reached between the conflicting parties.
The tragic demise of Dalbir Singh Deol, a decorated sportsman and law enforcement officer, has left the community in shock, raising questions about the events leading to his death and the preceding altercation.
Local authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Deol’s death, aiming to shed light on the mysterious turn of events that led to the loss of the esteemed DSP.
Sources By Agencies