The body of Sarabjit Singh, who died after a brutal attack by inmates in a Pakistani jail, was handed over to his family last night, after the post-mortem. A contingent of Punjab Police led by SSP Tarn-Taran, Raj Jeet Singh handed over Sarabjit's body to his family at Bikhiwind village in Punjab, where he will be cremated with full state honours today. Our correspondent reports that the body of Sarabjit Singh has reached his native village Bhikiwind after post-mortem, late last evening. The body will be confined to flames, this afternoon. The body will be taken to his house first which he left 23 years ago. His family was reconstructing the house after consulting religious people to ensure his safe return but it has not happened. His sister, Dalbir Kaur, whose best efforts for the last many years to get her brother released from Pakistan jail came to an abrupt halt, lamented that she could not bring her brother back alive to unite him with his two daughters and wife. Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal is leading the state to pay tributes to the departed soul. Leaders from various political parties are also reaching there to be with the family at this hour of grief. His daughters, Swapandeep and Poonam are expected to light the pyre. Keeping in view the emotions of people of Sarabjit’s village, the state government has made elaborate police arrangements to take control of any situation

Earlier, Sarabjit's body was airlifted to his village and sent to the Government Hospital at Patti where a team of six doctors of government-run Amritsar Medical college conducted the second post-mortem.
The Centre has announced an ex-gratia payment of 25 lakh rupees for Sarabjit's family from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. The Punjab government has also announced a financial assistance of one crore rupees for the family of Sarabjit and declared a three-day state mourning.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said there is an extreme level of sadness throughout the country over the issue and the government will provide all support to the family of the deceased prisoner.