Sarpanch who slapped woman teacher arrested, released on bail

Muktsar: Balwinder Singh, the Akali Dal sarpanch who brutally slapped a woman teacher at a public function in Punjab yesterday, was arrested this evening under the provisions of section 323 (slapping) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code.

Mr Singh was, however, bailed out within hours of his arrest after a bond of Rs. 50,000 was deposited.

The First Information Report (FIR) against him was filed yesterday after protests by teachers and other political parties. The Punjab government also ordered a probe.

The woman teacher, Barinder Pal Kaur, wanted to submit a memo demanding permanent jobs to Harsimrat Kaur Badal, an MP and the daughter-in-law of Punjab's Chief Minister. Balwinder Singh, the sarpanch of Daula, was among those trying to force a group of teachers to leave the function.

"All of a sudden he hit me. There was no provocation," said Barinder.

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"The sarpanch still says he hasn't committed any mistake and has not apologised to me," she later told NDTV.

Harsimrat Kaur promised action against the sarpanch. "I condemn the incident. It happened before I came there. There can be no reason to hit a woman. I will speak with the Superintendent of Police as well that action should be taken," Mrs Badal said yesterday.

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"With the support I'm getting, I hope I'll get justice," Barinder told NDTV.

The incident has evoked strong reactions. Shah Rukh Khan tweeted, "Just saw a male sarpanch slap and rough up a woman teacher on TV...disgusting & should be punished for sure..."