Detention of ‘firing victim’ sparks protest against cops

Ludhiana: Intense scenes were witnessed outside division number 3 police station on Wednesday night after police allegedly beat up people protesting against the “detention” of a man, who was fired at by a gangster. Meanwhile, police are looking into the accusations against the police officer and a security guard.
On Tuesday night, Vishal Gill, a notorious criminal, along with his accomplices had allegedly attacked his rival Sarabjit Singh alias Raja Bajaj’s car with bricks and then fired at him over some old enmity. The bullet had missed the target.
The supporters of Raja Bajaj alleged that he had gone to division number 3 police station in the afternoon to submit his complaint, but the police “kept” him sitting in the police station till late in the night. They said the family members of Raja and others gathered outside the police station and lodged a protest against SHO Sukhdev Singh Brar.
The protesters raised slogans outside the police station, alleging that Raja was unnecessarily made to sit in the police station when he was the complainant. In the meantime, SHO Brar along with his “gunman”, who was in civil clothes, reached the spot.
As soon as he arrived, SHO told the protestors that he had registered a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC against Raja, as he claimed that there was an attack from Raja’s side as well. His lawyer, who had come with Raja's family, asked the SHO why the police had registered a case without informing him and made Raja sit in the police station.
Meanwhile, a video footage of the incident, which went viral on the social media, indicated that when mediapersons asked the SHO about the development in the case, the cop and his gunman allegedly attacked the protesters. The footage showed cops taking two persons inside the police station and later running after the protesters.
Eyewitnesses said some journalists, who were allegedly manhandled by police, gheraoed the police station till 3am. He said later senior officers reached the spot and talked to mediapersons and assured action in the matter.
The SHO claimed that the people who had gathered outside the police station were creating ruckus so they acted to maintain law and order.
The SHO said Raja Bajaj was booked in the matter as he too allegedly attacked members of other party. He said they didn’t misbehave with mediapersons. The police officer said the person in the civil clothes was none other than the security guard at the police station.
Ludhiana police commissioner Dr Kastaubh Sharma said there are various versions of the incident and they are investigating the matter. He said suitable action under the law will be taken against anyone found guilty in the incident.
Police officials said Shubham Arora alias Mota, who is an alleged gangster, who is in jail, has also been named in the FIR.
Advocate moves court
Vikas Maggo, advocate for Raja Bajaj, said they were asking normal questions from police as to why his client had been detained when the SHO misbehaved with them and told them that his client, who is the complainant, has been booked for attempt to murder.
The advocate alleged that SHO and “bouncer” took Raja inside the police station at 1.30am and beat him up and let him go at 3am. He said on Thursday, he moved an application before Elaqa magistrate Harsimranjit Kaur pleading that police act was wrong, so he should get justice. He said the court ordered the police to produce CCTV footage of inside and outside of police station from Wednesday morning to Thursday evening.