In a shocking incident, the decomposed body of a 26-year-old Sikh kabaddi player was found in the Shahkot police station complex, Jalandhar, in the north Indian state of Punjab. The victim, Gurbhej Singh, alias Bheja, of Bajwa Kalan village of Shahkot,worked was a famous Kabaddi player. The police allegedly kept the matter under wraps for two days, fearing an uprising in Punjab, where demand for a separate homeland, Khalistan, is already gaining momentum with each passing day.

The handover of the player's body to the family by police after a span of two days makes it a possible case of murder, suspect analysts.  Shahkot DSP Onkar Singh Brar claimed that the player could have died after being stung by a poisonous insect or snake. The Sikh youth player, who was a regular at a gym, had been informally working as the helper. “On July 4, there was a fair at Danewal village near here.

Our entire staff had been deployed on security duty there. Even Gurbhej went there but he did not return home till the evening. His family reported he was missing,” said the DSP. “On Sunday evening, the body was found in a store when a foul smell started emanating from the area,” said the DSP. Asked why the matter was not revealed to the media, Brar did not have a clear answer except for saying that "There was no reason to hide the issue.

There should be no suspicion about it.” Gurbhej was a strong, athletic young man and a good kabaddi player. The exact cause of death remains unconfirmed. However,  Gurbhej Singh's family suspects foul play surrounding his death.  The analysts believe that the Sikh player was possibly murdered, and the police tried to hush up the matter in light of potential protests in Punjab, where the sentiments for a separate Sikh homeland are already high. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)