Day after Express report on taped deal, cash is returned to businessman

Though Sodhi denied having arrived at any such compromise and claimed he had not exchanged a word with Gurdev Singh, the businessman said he had spoken to Sodhi on Gurinder’s mobile phone.

This morning, Gurinder called on Gurdev at Room No. 24, MLA Hostel, Sector 4, where he was staying. Gurinder asked Gurdev to speak to Sodhi and enter into an ‘‘amicable settlement’’ and then made him talk to Sodhi on his mobile phone.

During the conversation, Gurdev not only asked for his money, but also told Sodhi of the others complaining about him. The recording of the entire conversation too is in possession of The Indian Express.

It was decided that Sodhi and Gurdev Singh would meet at a gurudwara in Sector 8 and then sign an ‘‘agreement’’ at a lawyer’s residence.

The plan was, however, changed later in the day. The Express team followed Gurinder Singh who returned to the MLA Hostel in the afternoon to ‘‘finalise’’ the contents of the agreement.

They decided to meet again to deliver the cash at a hotel in Sector 22, where a room was booked for the purpose. Around 10 persons, including Gurdev Singh and his two friends, reached the hotel in different cars around 6.30 pm. This was also where the affidavit was finalised and signed by Gurdev.

When he was told about the sequence of events, Sodhi put the phone down. Subsequent phone calls went unanswered. Earlier, he denied having anything to do with today’s affidavit, saying ‘‘Mein kyu us thag noo paise dene si. (Why would I give that thug any money).’’ Incidentally, Sodhi yesterday said he wasn’t sure whether he knew Gurdev Singh.