Missing SDM’s body recovered from canal

Anandpur Sahib, Punjab: The body of local SDM Karanbir Singh Mann, who had gone missing on Monday evening, was fished out of the Bhakra canal at Kotla power house on Tuesday.

The Congress has demanded an independent probe into the incident. The body of local subdivisional magistrate (SDM) Karanbir Singh Mann, who had gone missing on Monday evening, was fished out of the Bhakra canal at Kotla power house, near here, on Tuesday morning.

He is survived by wife Nirlesh Kaur, son Nirjog Singh Mann and daughter Damneet Kaur.Mann (57) is suspected to have committed suicide by jumping into the canal. His son claimed that the family had no enmity with anyone and nobody was under suspicion.

The SDM’s official Gypsy (PB12J-0330) was found parked close to the canal near the Lamlheri bridge. The body was taken to the local civil hospital, where a post-mortem examination was conducted. The police have completed proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC.

Mann’s brother-in-law KVS Sidhu, who is director, investigations, in the Punjab excise and taxation department, ruled out foul play. The staff of the SDM’s office said Mann asked his driver to take his wife to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib after office on Monday and himself drove his official vehicle towards the canal.

Mann, nephew of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, was a Punjab Civil Service (PCS) officer of the 2005 batch. He had been posted here as SDM in August. He also served as the district transport officer (DTO), Rupnagar. Before his elevation as a PCS officer, he served as an excise and taxation officer. His cremation would take place at his native village, Talania, in Fatehgarh Sahib district on December 2 after the arrival of his relatives from abroad.

His body has been sent to the Civil Hospital here for post mortem after which it would be handed over to the family. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today condoled the “untimely and tragic demise” of Mann. An official release said Badal described Mann as an able administrator, who always performed his assignments efficiently.