CBI waits as key witness in Harpreet case lies in hospital

CBI waits as key witness in Harpreet case lies in hospital
KOTA NEELIMA

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 10: I do not know any Jagir Kaur,'' says Dalvinder Kaur with her eyelids drooping. ``I do not remember anything about what happened in Phagwara.'' She is a key witness in the Harpreet Kaur murder case and has proved to be a slippery customer for the CBI ever since she was named in the FIR as a conspirator along with Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee chief Jagir Kaur.

The FIR against Jagir Kaur accuses her of entering into a ``criminal conspiracy'' with Dalwinder Kaur, Paramjit Singh, Nishan Singh and others to ``cause miscarriage with the knowledge that such an act was likely to cause her (Harpreet's) death.''

Harpreet Kaur, says the CBI, was taken to the residence of Dalwinder Kaur in Phagwara for the abortion. Being a close friend of Jagir Kaur and having made available her Phagwara house for detaining Harpreet Kaur, as alleged in the FIR, she has become a key witness for the CBI and can throw some light on what exactly led to the death of Harpreet.

Dalwinder now lies quietly in a corner of the general ward at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital with pursed lips. The middle-aged woman in a red flowery sari is in no mood to talk; she turns on her side and slips into an apparent slumber.

She is slightly diabetic and is suffering from a psychosomatic condition -- that's the diagnosis. According to some doctors at the hospital, symptoms of psychosomasis could include loss of memory and violent behavior.

Explains Medical Superintendent Dr C.P. Singh: ``Dalvinder Kaur has been diagnosed with psychosomasis which is altered functions of the brain. But it does not mean that a person is not normal. At the same time, the person can show symptoms of hypertension, etc.''

The hospital is yet to send Dalvinder Kaur's medical report to the CBI. Two policemen and a policewoman keep vigil over her in ward number 11 where she was brought on October 6, straight from the CBI's lock-up, after she complained she wasn't feeling well. The room has no other patient and five stark white beds lie there in glaring contrast to the adjoining rooms crammed with patients.

``We are not allowing anyone from Chandigarh to ge to her, but very few people have been sent to her by Jagir Kaur,'' says the havaldar posted at one of the entrances to the room.

According to CBI officials, Dalbir was brought for questioning when she had come to the Capital to see off her husband who was leaving for England. Before any interrogation could take place, she complained of ``giddiness and uneasiness''

``We have not been able to get a word out of her. We feel she is feigning illness to buy time and avoid being questioned. But we are waiting,'' said a senior CBI official.