Cops8217; statements recorded in Bhajan murder attempt case

CHANDIGARH, Jan 6: The case concerning alleged attempt on the life of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal today came up for recordin...

CHANDIGARH, Jan 6: The case concerning alleged attempt on the life of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal today came up for recording of evidence in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge S.S. Lamba. The hearing took place in Burail jail premises.

Among those examined today, main witnesses were ASI Madan Singh and Inspector Risal Singh, in whose presence Jagtar Singh Hawara, accused in the case, had made a disclosure statement regarding possession of 9 kg RDX at a place in village Nagal. Hawara had later led a police party to the said place and got the explosive recovered.

Madan Singh and Risal Singh today deposed regarding Hawara making the said disclosure statement and then getting the RDX recovered. However, in cross-examination, Madan Singh stated that people present at the site of recovery of the RDX had not been joined in the investigation.

Risal Singh stated that a servant had been called from near a tubewell in the area, but he was also not joined in the investigation of the said recovery. He further stated that he was not in a position to name the servant and also that no reference had been made in the police zimnis regarding the calling of the servant to the place of recovery.

He added that there was no need to inform the officials at police station Nagal regarding his going to the place of recovery. As a CIA inspector, he had jurisdiction to go about anywhere in the district, he added.

It may be recalled that the case was registered in December, 1995, after the accused opened fire on the Haryana police party which signalled them to halt.

According to the police, constable Vijay Bhan died and ASI Mohinder Singh was injured while the accused fled leaving behind the trolley. Eleven persons were subsequently arrested on Mohinder Singh8217;s statement.

The remaining evidence will be recorded on February 20.