‘Govt cremated body': Gulzar Singh's family alleges last rites conducted 'forcibly'

NEW DELHI: The family of Gulzar Singh, a Dalit labourer from Punjab’s Sangrur district who died by suicide after allegedly facing harassment and intimidation, has accused the administration of forcibly cremating his body without their consent.Gulzar’s son Lakhwinder Singh alleged that the family was not allowed to see his father’s face before the last rites and that they did not receive his clothes or other belongings.Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Lakhwinder said, "The govt cremated the body forcibly, without our consent. We should get justice. Cheema sahib should be jailed."He also alleged that the government had promised the family a job and other assistance but failed to provide them."The government forcibly carried out the last rites. They told us they would provide a job and other things, but we received nothing. I was in a state of depression. The police pressure was immense; it was the district police.