Three get 4-year RI for attacking police station

A Mohali court on Saturday sentenced three people to four-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) for attempt to murder and imposed a fine of Rs 9,000 on each. Chhote Lal alias Ramu from Zirakpur,Sau Raj from Badaun district in Uttar Pradesh,and Mohammad Jaan from Muradpur in Maharashtra were also convicted for various other offences including house-trespass,assault on public servant,causing hurt,resistance to lawful apprehension and rioting. The three were part of a mob of around 400-500 people that attacked the Zirakpur police station in March,2007.

The sentences of all the charges will run concurrently. Default in payment of fine will further add a term of 21 months for each of the convicts. The three were held guilty under Sections 307,452,353,323,225,224,148 and 147 of the Indian Penal Code.

As per a police report,an armed mob led by Bal Krishan,Bihari Lal,Manoj Kumar and few others attacked the police station in March,2007 to free Chotte Lal,who was in police custody in a house-trespass case. The mob then damaged police vehicles and raised slogans. In retaliation,police fired some shots injuring some accused. Eight of the main accused were later booked out of whom three were convicted on Saturday while the rest are absconding.