The body of Mandeep Singh was mutilated after he was killed by terrorists in October last year.

Bitta said the ex gratia promised to Mandeep’s family was given only in February and the cheque was given through the Red Cross.

Recently, Mandeep’s widow, Prerna, a constable at Haryana police posted in Kurukshetra, was suddenly taken off VIP duty when Union home minister Rajnath Singh visited there, he said.

“Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar may be an honest man, Haryana may be corruption free, but the way the lower rungs in the state administration are insulting martyrs’ families, I have never seen this before,” Bitta said.

“The government announced ₹50 lakh ex gratia. The family did not ask for it, but that too was given in February.

But first, they were asked to complete several formalities,” he said.

“Prerna is constable in Haryana police. She is an MA. What stops the government from promoting her to the post of inspector or DSP. We have not come before the media to seek something, but only to highlight the insult which the family has faced,” Bitta said.

He also said, “When Union home minister Rajnath Singh was visiting Kurukshetra a few days back, Prerna was put on VIP duty, but suddenly it was ordered that she be withdrawn from the duty.”

“Then, she was asked to report to a police station in Kurukshetra, where she was confined all day till the minster left. She broke down into tears, she was depressed not knowing where her fault lies,” Bitta said.

Bitta also said, “To rub salt to the wounds, a paper came from the defence ministry where Prerna was asked to give an affidavit answering whether she has married again or not. Should such questions be asked at such a sensitive time