Balwant Garg
Tribune News Service
Faridkot, October 1
Fearing an encounter, the two gangsters brought on production warrant from Delhi and Rajasthan in connection with the murder of Congress leader Gurlal Singh Pehalwan, today pleaded with a local court to direct the police to keep them chained at time of their production in court.
In their application, gangsters Amit, alias Chhotu, and Rajan Jaat expressed apprehension of the police killing them in an encounter with an alibi of shooting in ‘self-defence’ while they tried to escape from police custody.
The accused, involved in a dozen criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, ransom, extortion, dacoity and supply of illegal weapons, urged the court to direct the SHO and investigation officer to keep them shackled during transit.
Chhotu and Rajan, who belong to Delhi and Jhajjar, respectively, are the prime suspects in the killing of Pehalwan, district youth president of Faridkot Congress. They have been brought on product warrant from Delhi and Rajasthan, respectively, and were produced in a local court today.
Accusing the police of implicating them in a false case on the complaint of deceased’s father, they apprehended they would be eliminated in a police encounter, in connivance with the complainant.
In reply, the Faridkot police claimed they did not have shackles but maintained the suspects were “secure” in their custody and that there was no threat to their life.
In February, district Youth Congress president and zila parishad member Pehalwan was shot by two assailants. While the Delhi Police arrested the two shooters two months after the crime, the Faridkot police were unable to procure their custody for almost six months.
The murder was allegedly orchestrated by a Canada-based gangster, and his associate and jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
‘No threat to life’
- The Faridkot police told the court they did not have shackles but maintained the suspects were “secure” in their custody and that there was no threat to their life
- The accused, involved in a dozen criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, ransom, extortion, dacoity and supply of illegal weapons, urged the court to direct the SHO and investigation officer to keep them shackled during transit
Pehalwan murder: Direct police to ensure our safety, gangsters urge court
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