Babla surrenders

As Babla had informed the police and leaders of the Congress about his intention to surrender,a crowd started pouring in near the SCIC campus as the news spread.

It had been apprehended that Babla would surrender prior to the Mayoral elections scheduled for January 1 and will be present to cast his vote. He would be produced in the court on Tuesday.

Babla had been booked in a case of cheating and criminal conspiracy for accommodating 10 ineligible people during an auction of platforms in the Sector-26 Grain Market on July 24 when Babla was the chairman of the Market Committee.

The case was registered after an inquiry by Additional Deputy Commissioner P S Shergill indicted him.

On September 13,a lower court had dismissed Babla’s anticipatory bail plea. On October 7,the Punjab and Haryana High Court also rejected his anticipatory bail application. The lower court on October 25 had asked Babla to appear in court by December 10 otherwise he would be declared a proclaimed offender. However,extension was given till January 4.

Since Babla had informed that he would surrender by 8 pm,every car approaching the road was hounded by mediapersons.

Among the Congress leaders present were Pardeep Chhabra,Subhash Chawla,H S Lucky and Ravinder Pal Singh.

Mayor Kamlesh crossed the SCIC office in her official vehicle but chose not to stop. Mayoral candidate Anu Chatrath also paid a fleeting visit.

Babla arrived in a Toyota Innova bearing number DL 7CG 2479 at the SCIC office around 8.20 pm this evening and was rushed inside the cell amid a jostling rush.

Talking to Newsline,Babla said he was committed to the party and had to be present for the elections. He also expressed faith in the judiciary.

Meanwhile,the Special Crime Investigation Cell of the Chandigarh Police,which had been tracking the absconding Congress councillor,claimed the SCIC team’s mounting pressure forced him to surrender which was handed over the case on December 19.

Satbir Singh,Deputy Superintendent of Police (CID),said the team was following Babla’s movement very closely and was quite close to nabbing him.

“He surrendered since he sensed that the arrest was imminent now,” said the DSP.

“Babla’s association with Dawinder Singh alias Whiskey will also be investigated,” the DSP said. Whiskey,who was arrested on November 25 on charges of murder of a Sector-20 financier,had reportedly told the police that he knew Babla following a visit to his house to buy secondhand furniture,” the DSP added.

Whiskey,as per his statement,had also campaigned for Babla during elections.

The police are expected to seek Babla’s remand for the next few days. When asked if he could vote in the Mayor elections on January 1,Satbir said it would depend upon the decision of the court.