AMRITSAR: Despite clear indications of severe torture of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, as established by the autopsy report that documented 34 external injuries, including wounds to his private parts, the BSF, India’s first line of defence, is unlikely to take up the matter formally, as the constable was not on duty at the time of the incident.According to the post-mortem findings, all the injuries, around 25 injuries, were inflicted 2-4 days prior to death, while nine were sustained 18-24 hours before death. The report places the time between death and post-mortem examination at 24-48 hours.Sources informed that the autopsy report of BSF constable Jaswinder Singh, who allegedly died in NCB custody, is extremely disturbing. According to the key findings from the medical examination, the injury report documents a total of 34 wounds on his body, indicating severe physical trauma.Of these, 24 injuries were estimated to be two to four days old, while nine were inflicted within 24 hours prior to death. The head injuries were particularly serious, with a large blood clot found between the scalp and skull, along with a swollen brain showing pinpoint haemorrhages within the brain tissue. Externally, multiple bluish-purple bruises were observed on the flanks and buttocks, the largest measuring 27.5 cm by 17.5 cm.
The internal examination also revealed significant organ damage, including a 16.5 cm bruise on the right lung, a contusion on the left kidney and internal bleeding in the stomach wall.The BSF Jaswinder Singh, who was posted in Tripura, was on leave when he was apprehended by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on March 3 near Miran Sahib Chowk. Reportedly, he was returning to his home in Diwangarh village after purchasing medicines for his mother, who was accompanying him at the time.
The family alleged that he was detained in connection with an earlier NDPS case registered against his brother, Pupinder Singh, who was subsequently discharged by a Jammu court on March 9, barely a week after Jaswinder’s arrest.Sources said that while the BSF is deeply anguished over the brutal death of its colleague, it is unlikely to pursue the matter further.“Any offence committed by a BSF personnel while on leave is treated as a civil matter , limiting the force’s jurisdiction. The BSF generally refrains from intervening in cases handled by other agencies, even in circumstances that raise serious concerns,” said sources.
