Only Punjab Police could do this: book an 80-year-old grandmother for ‘attempt to murder’ even though she was not at the spot.

And it all began with a students’ protest against the private bus owners in Punjab on May 6 at Faridkot.

While 80-year-old Balbir Kaur’s grandson was reportedly part of the protest, the octogenarian was not there at all. Yet, she now faces the allegation of being involved in a ‘crime’ which is hard to explain.

A students’ protest against private bus owners in Punjab has resulted in an attempted murder charge

On May 6, the members of the Punjab Students Union (PSU) had organised the protest and buses owned by Akali Dal leader Hardeep Singh Dhillon were allegedly attacked.

Police had to resort to baton charges as the enraged students clashed with the security personnel.

Following the violence, police arrested 14 students, including two girls, from the spot.

Among those picked up was a 13-year-old boy. Later, his grandmother, Balbir Kaur, was also implicated.

“A case has been registered under sections 307, 427, 141, 148, 149 of the Indian Penal Code. The bus driver sustained serious injuries,” Faridkot SSP Charanjit Singh Sharma said.

Faridkot City SHO Naginder Singh confirmed that the police have yet to arrest ‘accused’ Balbir Kaur.

Balbir Kaur and her grandson live in Ghuttuwala village of Faridkot. Balbir had reportedly not visited the spot where PSU activists were staging protest.

“Registration of a case against a 13-year-old boy and his 80-year-old grandmother is the mockery of law. The woman who did not visit the spot has been implicated falsely. She never participated in the protest. We condemn the police action,” said Sukhpreet Singh, a resident of Ghuttuwala village.

Protests continued against the police in Moga on Tuesday.

The protest was organised by PSU activists who condemned the Faridkot police for arresting 14 students, including the 13-year-old boy.

They slammed the police for “falsely” implicating 80-year-old Balbir Kaur.

Meanwhile, members of various Unions on Tuesday held protests across the state seeking cancellation of bus permits and registration of a case against Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in connection with the death of a teenage girl who was allegedly molested and thrown off a bus on April 29 in Moga.

Various unions including Punjab Students Union (PSU), Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) factions Ekta and Ugrahan, Kirti Kisan Sabha, CPI, Pendu Khet Mazdoor Union, Technical Service Union, Democratic Teachers Front, and Nauzawan Bharat Sabha participated in the protest in front of the district administrative complexes across the state, PSU president Karamjit Singh said.