M A I N   N E W S

One shot at in Sessions Court
Our Correspondent

Karnal, February 15
Quite a commotion and panic was caused in the District and Sessions Court here today when a firing incident took place in front of the court of Mr J.S. Jangra, Additional Sessions Judge.

According to confirmed sources, Hira Singh, a son of Rattan Singh of Balshi village (Panipat district), fired at Raj Kiran from a close range. The seriously injured Raj Kiran was referred to the PGI at Chandigarh. It is learnt that the firing took place at about 10.45 a.m. when the courts had just started functioning. Clients and lawyers outside the court of Mr Jangra ran helter skelter.

Hira Singh fired at Raj Kiran when he was about to enter the court of the ADJ. As per information gathered by this correspondent from the spot, the Additional Sessions Judge had summoned both Raj Kiran and Hira Singh for recording evidence in a case under Section 304-B of the IPC.

The said case was registered against Raj Kiran on a complaint by Hira Singh. It is learnt that Hira Singh’s sister was married to Raj Kiran. She died sometime ago. A case of dowry death was got registered against Raj Kiran by Hira Singh and his family. It was being tried in the court of Mr Jangra.

It is reported that Hira Singh had a doubt that his sister was alleged to have been murdered by Raj Kiran. Therefore, he nursed a grudge against him. As the case had taken long for decision, Hira Singh’s patience was exhausted. Therefore, he settled the scores today.

After firing at Raj Kiran, the accused Hira Singh ran out of the court premises. But Ashok Kumar, a Head Constable, working as a Naib Court in the court of Mr H.C. Goyal, Additional Sessions Judge, ran after Hira Singh and chased him along with Ajit Singh, Head Constable and constable Rajbir who were also present in the Sessions Court. Hira Singh tried to reload his pistol near the cooperative store, but was caught and overpowered by Head Constable Ashok Kumar and his colleagues.

The police has arrested the other two accomplices of the accused. It is interesting that when firing incident took place. Mr O.P. Chautala, Chief Minister, was in the town and a strong police posse was posted in the Ambedkar Chowk adjoining to the Sessions Court.

Lawyers in the Sessions Court, while talking to The Tribune demanded that adequate security cover should be provided in the Sessions Court and the entry of persons should be restricted and metal detectors installed at the gate.