IPS officer killed: Will his family get justice?

Bhopal: A day after a young IPS officer in Madhya Pradesh was crushed to death by a tractor-trolley allegedly carrying illegally mined stones, the brutal murder has forced the Chief Minister to order a judicial inquiry. IPS Officer Narendra Kumar's father said his son was under pressure to go slow against the mining mafia. But the state police denies any role of the mining mafia in the killing.

Narendra Kumar was laid to rest with state honours on Friday, just a day after he was crushed to death. The 30-year-old had tried to stop the vehicle as part of his drive against illegal mining in Morena in Madhya Pradesh, but had to pay for it with his life.

"We don't expect a fair inquiry from the state administration. We did not speak earlier because my daughter-in-law is also posted as an additional collector," his father said.

Kumar's family was shocked that the police said the mining mafia was not involved in his death.

Chambal Range DIG DP Gupta said, "This is a case in which the accused was carrying stones for his own use. No involvement of the mafia has so far been found."

With the Congress opposition slamming it, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh has ordered a judicial inquiry.

"We have proof that MLAs, MPs and the chief minister's family are involved in illegal mining activities," former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh said.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "No mining mafia can be dominant in the state. I request the Congress not to blame our government and this incident is not meant to play politics."

While the driver of the tractor was booked for murder on Thursday evening, Kumar's wife, an additional collector who is expecting their child, has not been told of his passing.

Narendra Kumar was one of those rare officers who had the courage to be at the front when it came to dealing with dangerous situations. He was fighting against the mining mafia and had taken action against them but the tragic part is that his force lost little time in declaring that those who killed him were not part of any mafia.