Probe into mystery Sikh death

Bibi Jagir Kaur is a powerful Sikh leader

By Asit Jolly in Chandigarh

A court in the north Indian state of Punjab has ordered an investigation into the death of Harpreet Kaur, the daughter of a senior Sikh religious leader.

The leader, Bibi Jagir Kaur, is the head of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee - a powerful committee of Sikhs in control of important shrines and religious institutions.

The court order came in response to a petition filed last month in which a young man, who claims to be the dead girl's husband, had said he feared his wife may have been murdered.

The High Court ordered the superintendent of the Central Bureau of Investigation in Chandigarh to investigate the death, and submit a detailed report within four months.

Harpreet Kaur died in April after what her family said was "severe food poisoning".

She was hurriedly cremated without any post-mortem examination or inquest by the local police, which raised suspicions among many in the state.

'Secret marriage'

Some reports suggested that Harpreet Kaur had been secretly married to a young man - Kamaljit Singh - from her mother's village, Begowal.

Mr Singh, who alleged his wife had been murdered, also expressed fears about his security.

The High Court has now directed the Punjab Government to provide adequate protection for Kamaljit Singh and his family.

Analysts say that the court order is likely to serve as a major political setback for the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Mr Badal has been supporting Bibi Jagir Kaur's position and opposed any investigation into the death.