Angry residents and students torched police vehicles in protest on Monday. Schools, colleges and markets were shut. The Haryana government has ordered a magisterial probe and announced a Rs 5-lakh compensation and a job for a member of Kuldeep’s family. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda described the incident as “tragic and unfortunate”. “We have already arrested the head constable (Karmbir Singh) on charges of murder. Charges have also been arraigned against seven other policemen,” he said.

Hissar SP Anil Rao said a police vehicle chased a motorcycle carrying three men after it refused to stop at a barricade around midnight on the outskirts of Bhiwani town. “As our vehicle was moving alongside their motorcycle, a sudden pothole produced a jolt which pulled the trigger of a rifle that was placed in the vehicle. Since the window was open, it hit one of the boys. It was an unfortunate accident,” Rao said.

Kuldeep and Vikas were riding the bike along with a friend, Hukam Singh. According to Vikas, “We were returning from a feast in a nearby village. I don’t remember anyone even gesturing us to stop. Suddenly, a police vehicle came up to us. There were around eight-nine policemen inside, some of them in plainclothes. Their manner suggested they were inebriated.

“They asked us to stop. When we did, two policemen came out, placed a gun on my brother’s forehead and pulled the trigger. They asked us nothing. Only after my brother had collapsed did they begin questioning us on who we were and where we were coming from.”

Kuldeep’s father Satpal said: “The sort of wound which my son had could only be caused if the shot was fired from pointblank.”