When cheque meant for relief bounced!

• Marginal farmer Tek Singh had allegedly committed suicide on August 9
• A Rs 5-lakh cheque drawn on the State Bank of Patiala was given to the deceased’s family
• The account number on the cheque was invalid
• Officials said the problem might have occurred because of the merger of the State Bank of Patiala with the SBI

The family of Jeond village in Punjab resident Tek Singh, who had committed suicide, was left high and dry when the compensation cheque for Rs5 lakh bounced. The district administration has initiated a probe into the matter.

Tek Singh, a marginal farmer, had allegedly committed suicide on August 9 by consuming poison. He had accused a Rampura Phul commission agent of harassment.

Rampura Phul SDM Subhash Khatak had given Rs4 lakh in cash as part compensation to Tek Singh’s wife Charanjit Kaur. A Rs5-lakh cheque drawn on the erstwhile State Bank of Patiala was also handed over to her.

The family presented the cheque in the village’s HDFC branch. The bank officials told them that the cheque, signed by the Secretary, Red Cross, Bathinda, could not be cleared as the account number written on the cheque was invalid.

Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra could not be contacted. The Bathinda administration has initiated a probe. Its officials said it seemed that the problem might have occurred because of the merger of the State Bank of Patiala with the State Bank of India.