SIT to Probe Palwal Killings, Rs 3 Lakh Compensation for Victims

A still from CCTV capture of Dhankar with the iron rod.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

An ex-army man on a murdering spree in Palwal sent Haryana in shock when Naresh Dhankar, a former lieutenant of the Indian Army, bludgeoned six people to death with an iron rod on Tuesday.

After the incident on Tuesday, the family members of the victims staged a protest, following which the Haryana government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe into the circumstances under which Dhankar murdered six people.

Tense atmosphere erupted throughout Palwal following the incident, forcing the police to heighten security arrangements in the town, as the family members of the victims held a protest and demanded adequate compensation, and a job to the next of kin of the victims.

They blocked the road outside the civil hospital where the bodies of the victims were kept.

As a result of the protests, the administration also announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the next of kin of the victims.

Police are yet to interrogate Dhankar as he suffered a brain haemorrhage upon confrontation with the police.

Dhankar is undergoing a surgery at Delhi's Safdarjung hospital. He has been reported stable as of Thursday morning, according to a Hindustan Times report.

The same Hindustan Times report also states that the families of the victims are not happy with just a Rs 3 lakh compensation. A relative of one of the victims has demanded a compensation of at least Rs 20 lakh.

Dhankar's wife has also given a statement saying that although her husband abused her on a regular basis, he always paid for his son's tuition fees and their house rent. She, however, was unsure if he should be punished for what he did.

If a normal person does it, then punishment is justified. But I believe he was not normal. I had earlier taken him to a private hospital in Faridabad (for getting Dhankar treated for his mental illness).

Seema, Dhankar’s wife talking to<i> Hindustan Times</i>

(WIth inputs from PTI and Hindustan Times)