SDM’s body recovered from Bhakra canal

Anandpur Sahib,  30 NOV -The body of Anandpur Sahib Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Karanbir Singh Mann was recovered from the Bhakra canal’s Kotla powerhouse this morning. It was taken to the Civil Hospital, Anandpur Sahib, for a post-mortem examination. Mann had gone missing last evening. His official vehicle (Gypsy PB12J-0330) was found parked near the Lamlheri bridge in Anandpur Sahib. Mann is survived by his wife Nirlesh Kaur, son Nirjog Singh and daughter Damneet Kaur. He was a nephew of SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann. The officer’s death remains a riddle. His son Nirjog maintained that the family had enmity with none. His brother-in-law KVS Sidhu, who is Director, Investigations, Punjab Excise and Taxation, also ruled out any foul play. Stunned staff members at the SDM’s office said that Mann had been in office from morning to evening. After 5 pm, he asked his driver to take his wife to Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib. He then drove towards the Bhakra canal in his Gypsy. The staff said Mann did not look upset or unhappy. A PCS officer of the 2005 batch, Mann was posted as SDM, Anandpur Sahib, in August last. Before that, he had served as District Transport Officer, Roopnagar. His cremation will take place at his native village Talania in Fatehgarh Sahib on December 2. The Congress has expressed shock over the incident. PPCCvice-president Rana KP Singh has demanded a CBI inquiry into the circumstances leading to Mann’s death. “Top bureaucrats in the state are under tremendous stress. A CBI inquiry should be ordered into the circumstances leading to the PCS officer’s death, Rana said in a statement, while pointing out that a senior bureaucrat had been thrashed by SAD workers in Ludhiana city earlier. “If senior bureaucrats in the state are not safe, one can well imagine the plight of the common man,” he observed. The Anandpur Sahib Bar Association has also demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.