Thursday, March 30 2006 14:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Mar 30, 2006) paid rich tributes to veteran freedom fighter and founder member of Azad Hind Fauj Col G S Dhillon.

Amid chanting of verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, Singh paid last respects to the late soldier at the historic Red Fort here where his ashes were kept for public to pay homage.

Ninety-three-year-old Dhillon, considered a close associate of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, died on February six following a cardiac arrest after prolonged illness.

A recipient of Padma Bhushan, he was the last surviving member of the Azad Hind Fauj, formed by Bose to fight the British rule.

Dhillon and his comrades-in-arms from the Indian National Army (INA) Shah Nawaz Khan and P K Sahgal were tried by the British government at the Red Fort after the end of the World War II for 'waging a war against the King.'

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Delhi ChiefMinister Sheila Dikshit and DPCC President Rambabu Sharma.

The urn containing the ashes would be taken to Keeritpur near Anantpur Sahib in Punjab where it would be immersed in river Sutlej.