“After Kaur’s visit, my entire reputation in the village was ruined,” recalls Lal. “Everyone believed what the police said and were convinced that my daughter was wrong. Only after Moninder’s arrest and the confessions the truth unfolded. And now the village wants to know why they were misled.”

Kaur was suspended two days ago and dismissed this evening. And nearly a week after the skeletons were found, officials at the Nithari police chowki are tight-lipped about their visit to Pipalia. “There were many trips all over,” is all officials are willing to say. However, officials at the sector 20 police station confirm Kaur’s trip to Lal’s village.

The Pipalia trip came at a time when Nithari killings investigating officer Dinesh Yadav claims to have been looking at the case afresh.

When contacted, Simranjit was not available and a person claiming to be her sister said: “She has been working very hard on the case and went to many places to check facts.”

Chasing the Complainant

• August 24, 2006: Nand Lal sought the intervention of the CJM Court Gautham Buddha Nagar to get an FIR against Moninder Singh and his servant Surendra under section 363 and 366 under the IPC. Lal charged them with kidnapping his daughter Dipika alias Payal. He alleged that Surendra dialled Payal’s mobile (981115404) from a nearby PCO on May 6. Surendra, according to Lal, asked Payal to meet Moninder on May 7 with the biodata of her brother Amit. Lal added that Moninder had assured Payal that he would offer Amit a job at his factory. Lal said Payal had not returned home since she visited Moninder’s house. Lal asked the police to register an FIR in vain. Sector 20 Police Station could only register a case of missing person on May 29.

... contd.