CHANDIGARH: After the Model Code Of Conduct came into force in the State, a case was registered against liquor baron Shiv Lal on Thursday for presiding over a “Kangaroo Court’’ (Darbar) in the sub-jail in Fazilka. Doda who has political links with the ruling SAD-BJP alliance, is currently facing trial for murdering his former employee, Bhim Tank who is a Dalit.
Cases were booked against Doda and 24 others for holding an unauthorised meeting on Wednesday evening in Fazilka sub-jail. Reportedly, the meeting was attended by more than 20 outsiders. The meeting gains significance as it is speculated that Doda or any of his family members might fight the forthcoming Assembly elections from Abohar.
A raid was carried out on Wednesday evening by the district administration including deputy commissioner Isha Kalia and senior superintendent of police Narinder Bhargaw after receiving a tip-off by the chief electoral officer of Punjab from the sitting Congress MLA from Abohar Sunil Jakhar. “We have recommended stern action against assistant jail superintendent Jashandeep Singh,” Kalia said.
Narinder Bhargav confirmed that a case has been registered against the accused. “We have registered a case under Sections 188, 448 and 120-B of the IPC against Doda and others,” he said. Doda is among two dozen people booked for the brutal murder of Bhim Tank a local Dalit at his farmhouse in Abohar more than a year ago. Additional director general of police (Prisons), Punjab, Rohit Choudhary said that he had suspended the assistant jail superintendent Jashandeep Singh with immediate effect.
Ashok Ahuja, one of the close aides of Doda was also present at the gathering inside the jail in gross violation of norms. Also, seven private vehicles were impounded said sources. In the raid which started on Wednesday evening and continued after midnight, Rs 3.48 lakh was recovered from the jail premises.
Doda fought the last Assembly election as an independent candidate against Congress leader Sunil Jakhar from Abohar but lost by more than 9,000 votes.
The family of the deceased Bhim Tank has been demanding that Doda be shifted to high-security jails as he was running the show at the Fazilka sub-jail with his political clout, money and muscle power.
Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh has demanded immediate dismissal of the Badal government, saying it had been completely exposed in the Fazilka jail incident, where a known henchman of home minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was caught holding a kangaroo court on Wednesday along with two dozen other Akali-linked criminals.