Neha.Sharma5@timesgroup.com
Chandigarh: Eleven months after former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh's relative Akansh Sen was crushed to death under the wheels of a
BMW car in Sector 9, police have failed to arrest prime accused Balraj Singh Randhawa, sparking fears he may have fled the country.
Balraj, a resident of Akal Ashram Colony, Mohali, was last seen on February 9 when he along with second accused Harmehtab Singh had allegedly run over Akansh thrice with his BMW car.
While Balraj was declared a proclaimed offender and a lookout notice issued against him, Harmehtab was arrested. He is currently facing trial in a local court.
A TOI team visited Balraj's house in Mohali which has been lying locked for months. According to neighbours, most of whom are Balraj's relatives, he was never seen here again after the murder.
"Balraj's mother was last spotted on March 31, when his grandfather had died. She attended the cremation," said Balraj's maternal aunt Jasbir Kaur, who lives next door. "I never saw anyone here after that day," she added.
One sister of Balraj lives in Canada and the other in the US. Just five days before the murder of Akansh, Balraj's sister had come to India. Balraj's grandfather Ajmer Singh died after this incident. Another maternal aunt said Balraj was two years old when his father had passed away and it was then his mother had shifted their base from Fatehgarh Sahib to Mohali.
When asked if Balraj's mother ever visited her daughters, Jasbir said, "She had gone thrice to visit her daughters in Canada and US. Balraj also had gone a number of times abroad." "I don't know where she is now, but where else could a mother go except to her daughter's place?" she said, adding "Our lives have never been the same after this murder case."
When contacted, DSP Ram Gopal nodded in affirmation when asked if there are fair chances that both Balraj and his mother have flown abroad. He, however, said, "The matter is under investigation and appropriate steps are being taken to catch the accused." Sources said police have got details of addresses of Balraj's sisters.
Meanwhile, Vikramaditya Singh, son of Virbhadra Singh, has questioned Chandigarh police over their failure to arrest Balraj. He too believes Balraj is abroad. "I think he fled the country via Nepal. Chandigarh police could have done a better job but failed," said Vikramaditya.
Court dismissed Balraj mother's plea
A local court had dismissed the application of the mother of Balraj Singh Randhawa to unfreeze her bank accounts sealed by the police after he was declared a proclaimed offender.
EX-CM'S KIN KILLED UNDER CAR WHEELS
February 8| Eleven friends, including three girls, went for a get-together party in Boombox cafe, co-owned by victim Akansh Sen.
February 9 | Akansh was allegedly murdered by Balraj and Farid after crushing and dragging him thrice under the BMW car in Sector 9 in the early hours of the day
February 10 | Former Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh visited the city and his son Vikramaditya made allegations against cops of not working honestly in the case
February 11 | Police constituted an SIT (Special Investigation Team) headed by UT SSP and issued look out circulars at all airports against both the accused
February 16| Police arrested Harmehtab Singh from Haridwar
March 5 | Court declared Balraj Singh Randhawa a proclaimed offender
May 6 | Police submitted charge-sheet against Harmehtab Singh
June 1 | Court allowed the application of police to attach Balraj's property
November 7 | Charges framed against Harmehtab Singh
Trial starts
The trial in the murder case has started against Harmehtab Singh, the second accused. Adamya Singh Rathore, a cousin of the victim, had recorded his statement in the court and supported the prosecution.
