THE father of murdered waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar 'would have been proud' of the 'tremendous' turnout for his funeral today.

Darshan Singh Chhokar died last Sunday aged 76, following his fourth cancer battle.

He never gave up his fight for justice after his son was stabbed to death outside his home in Overtown, Lanarkshire, on November 4 1998.

Solicitor Aamer Anwar said today that the turnout - which included the Solicitor General and Assistant Chief Constable Ruaraidh Nicolson - was testimony to the high regard Mr Chhokar was held in.

He added: “It was a tremendous turnout. He would have been proud.

“There were representatives there from all walks of life. It reflected the huge impact he had.”

Mr Chhokar’s funeral took place in Maryhill crematorium at 8.45am with a poignant red and white Dad wreath placed behind the coffin in the hearse.

Mr Anwar said he was proud to be with Mr Chhokar as he ‘made his final journey’, describing him as ‘an honourable man and a warrior for justice.’

In his final interview, days before he died, Mr Chhokar had wept as he said he wanted to live to see those responsible for Surjit’s murder brought to justice and how he prayed every day that he would be spared for that moment.

He said: “My family are destroyed. Everything we had planned, all the dreams we had, everything we hoped for was ruined.

“For 17 years, God has given me the strength to carry on. What more can I ask of Him? But I have just one wish – the people responsible for Surjit’s death must face justice.”

Darshan passed away at home with his wife Gurdev Kaur, 71, and daughter Manjit by his side.

Ronnie Coulter, 47, from Wishaw, will go on trial next February. He denies killing Mr Chhokar, 32, in Overtown while acting with two other men.