In a shocking and heart-wrenching turn of events, a 17-year-old girl from Ferozepur district, Punjab, who had been presumed dead after her father allegedly threw her into a canal, has reappeared alive. The teenager, Preet, spoke to the media on Sunday, recounting her miraculous survival and making a tearful appeal for her father’s release from jail.

The chilling incident took place on September 29 when Preet’s father, Surjit Singh, became suspicious of her “character” and, in a fit of rage, tied her hands with ropes and shoved her into a canal. The horrifying act unfolded in front of her mother and three younger sisters, with Singh even recording the assault on video. The video soon went viral, leading to widespread outrage.

Following a complaint from Preet’s cousin, the Ferozepur City Police swiftly filed a murder case against Singh. He was arrested and has since remained in judicial custody. However, the case took an unexpected turn on Sunday when Preet, who had been missing for over two months, reappeared and revealed her incredible escape from the canal.

In a tearful statement, Preet shared how she had narrowly escaped death. She described how the ropes that had bound her hands loosened as the rushing waters carried her downstream. Eventually, her head struck a protruding iron bar, which she grabbed onto, using it as leverage to pull herself to the bank. After being rescued by three passers-by, she was taken to a local gurdwara, where she stayed for some time, recovering from her injuries.

Teen Seeks Father’s Release from Jail

Despite her dramatic escape, Preet never sought police help after the incident. She kept her whereabouts a secret, saying only that she had been ill and receiving medical treatment. She also chose to come forward now to ask for her father’s release, explaining that her younger sisters had been left without care in his absence.

“My younger sisters have no one else to look after them,” Preet said, breaking down in front of reporters. She also made a disturbing claim that her mother had encouraged her father’s violent actions. According to Preet, her father had been intoxicated during the attack, and her mother had somehow fueled his anger.

As the investigation unfolds, police are reconsidering the charges against Surjit Singh. With Preet’s reappearance and testimony, they are now likely to downgrade the case from murder to attempted murder. Local authorities have stated that they are investigating the situation from all angles.

The case has left the community in shock, with many struggling to understand how such a brutal act could have occurred within a family. In addition to her emotional plea for her father’s release, Preet has requested police protection, expressing mistrust toward her relatives.

Survivour Seeks Police Protection

“The police should protect me,” she said, citing fears for her safety. Preet’s story, one of survival and resilience, has raised questions about the complex dynamics within her family, and it remains to be seen how the investigation will unfold.

Ferozepur’s Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sukhwinder Singh, confirmed that the case will be revisited and that new developments will be thoroughly examined. Meanwhile, Preet’s reappearance has become one of the most talked-about stories in Punjab, turning a family tragedy into a deeply complex and evolving criminal case.