Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, November 8

The prime accused in the case of hurting religious sentiments of the Sikh community, Anil Arora, has been evading arrest even after three weeks of registration of the case under Sections 295-A, 153-A, 212, 216 and 120-B of the IPC and arrest of seven co-accused, conspirators or harbourers.

The latest conspirator/co-accused to be arrested by the special branch of the city police is stated to be Umesh Kumar Gandhi, resident of Street No 3, New Guru Nanak Nagar, Mundian Kalan. During interrogation, Umesh Kumar Gandhi disclosed that before fleeing, Anil Arora had hidden a black bag containing his clothes and Rs 10 lakh in the house of his sister-in-law and co-accused Shalu Aggarwal (now in custody), The police claim to have recovered the bag.

Police officials carrying out investigation into the case said several police teams had been set up, which are continuously raiding all possible hideouts of the prime accused. If the role of any other anti-social or mischievous elements came to fore during the investigation of the case, action as per law would be taken against them, said the police.