CHANDIGARH, July 9: The bail plea of Shiromani Akali Dal Muktsar president Manjit Singh Markandi and 11 others, arrested after the firing outside the Sector 17 District Court complex on Monday, will come up for arguments before UT Additional District and Sessions Judge S. S. Lamba on July 11.Seeking their release on bail, the defence counsel stated that the accused could not be booked for attempt to murder as the shots had been fired in self defence.The gunman of Manjit Singh Markandi, who had fired in the air to scare away the mob, had been issued a licence by the Punjab Government.He had fired only after the supporters of the complainant in the Manjit Singh murder case started pelting stones amidst abuses and challenges, the defence counsel stated. The firing was returned by the other side, even the Chandigarh Police, the counsel added.The accused, "supporters" of Harvinder Singh, facing the charge of killing of an S.A.S. Nagar resident Manjit Singh in the Sector 10 market, were earlier booked under the Arms Act for attempt to murder, causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty, obstructing a public servant in the discharge of his functions and for rioting, armed with a deadly weapon.According to the police, the shooting, which occurred after Harvinder Singh's supporters retaliated to slogans being raised by the associates of the deceased, continued for over 15 minutes.Eleven empties of 9 mm stengun and two rounds of .12 bore gun were recovered from the spot and three persons were injured, the police had added.It may be recalled that Harvinder Singh, along with one Manoj Pal were booked by the Chandigarh Police under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. While the latter was arrested on June 8, the former surrendered before the court on June 27. An altercation between the two groups at a club a few months ago is being cited as the reason for the murder.
