Bizarre locks put at my Sector 9 house twice: Harbhajan Singh

CHANDIGARH: Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has called the placing of extra locks and chains on the gates of his four-kanal house in Sector 9 a bizarre episode, saying there should be fear of law.
"The house usually remained locked and we open it for cleaning purposes, but not regularly. This time we could not get it cleaned for around two years. When my brother-in-law went there a few days back, he found two extra locks on each gate. He broke them and after cleaning the house locked it again," Bhajji told TOI over phone. He said on Wednesday, his brother-in-law found that somebody had put iron chains on both the gates to lock them. "We removed them and reported the matter to police," he said. Police officials have assured that trespassing would not be allowed. "I hope they find those who indulged in the illegality with such brazenness," Harbhajan said. "It is bizarre that somebody could do like this and that too twice. There should be fear of law. How can somebody usurp somebody else's property like this?" he said, adding he would get CCTV cameras fitted and engage security for the house.

Asked if he suspects any person, Harbhajan said he was himself astonished and did not have any idea about the culprit.

Police too are struggling to unravel the mystery. Cops said there was no dispute over the property. Harbhajan had bought house number 10 in Sector 9 for Rs 7 crore in 2007. Since then, the house has been unoccupied.

Police said the locks were put between October 13 and 17 and collected CCTV footage from nearby areas to investigate the matter. However, sources said only one CCTV camera was installed at the house adjacent to that of Harbhajan's and it does not cover his gate. On the other side lies a government building which does not have any CCTV cameras installed.

Harbhajan had lodged a complaint to UT SSP after meeting her in her office in Sector 9 on Thursday. The SSP marked the complaint to Sector 3 police station for investigation.