Slain sarpanch's son takes on politicians

KAMBOPURA (KARNAL): Rajender, 33, a barber by profession, has succeeded in taking his fight for justice against two powerful politicians - former Haryana transport minister O P Jain and former chief parliamentary secretary Zile Ram Sharma - to the next level.
Rajender's father Karam Singh, 58, was found dead on June 7, 2011, a day after he lodged a complaint against Jain and Sharma, for allegedly duping him of Rs 12 lakh, with the promise of providing them government jobs.Allegations about their involvement in his "murder" had led to the ouster of Jain and Sharma. Both have denied any role in the murder. Despite facing threats and humiliations, Rajender moved the HC and has got a CBI inquiry ordered.
Rajender is confident of getting justice despite the fact that his fight is against two sitting MLAs. "My fight had started the moment we found my father seriously injured, who died later," he told TOI.
"Police did not even mention the names of these two politicians as accused in the FIR despite a written complaint. When we protested, the administration assured us of nabbing the culprits, but nobody was arrested even after more than a year," he added. "On the other hand, efforts were even made to turn the murder into a suicide case," he said.
Despite threats, Rajender visits his hair-dressing shop at Karnal on a bike. "Just two days after my father's murder, some persons came to our home in an Alto to threaten us," said Rajender, who is the third among four sisters and two brothers.
"We were also pressured to reach a compromise, with an offfer of government jobs and money," he said. "But I have only one desire - justice," he said. Rajender is also hurt by the fact that his family's 35-year-long association with the ruling party in the state could not prove helpful in getting him justice. "After my father's murder, senior politicians visited our home to offer condolences, but no one offered help. We kept demanding a CBI probe, but we were left to approach the high court for this," he added.