M A I N   N E W S

Amritsar ASI ‘killer’ tries to flee prison, nabbed
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 1
Former Akali leader Ranjit Singh Rana, who allegedly shot dead Punjab Police assistant sub-inspector Ravinderpal Singh in December 2012, today tried to escape from the high-security Amritsar Central Jail.

Though Rana was captured by the jail staff, questions are being raised over lapses in the security as an iron-cutter was recovered from his possession.

“The incident occurred around 3.30 am when our santri (jail guard) spotted Rana coming out of the grilled enclosure. He raised an alarm and soon Rana was overpowered,” said BS Bhullar, Deputy Superintendent of the jail.

A fresh case has been registered against Rana, who allegedly told jail authorities that he would again make an attempt to run away.

“Rana has been shifted to a different cell. We are trying to ascertain how he managed to procure the cutter,” said Bhullar. There are 16 chakkis (highly security cells) in the Amritsar jail where hardcore criminals are kept. Rana was lodged in chakki No 2 with two others inmates. He came out after cutting the grills but was nabbed.

Recently a cousin of Rana, who was arrested under the NDPS Act, had been brought to the jail. “There weren’t enough restrictions on his (Rana’s) cousin and he was free to move to the interview room (where inmates can meet their family members and friends). There is a possibility that he could have procured the iron cutter from someone”, said a source.

Rana had allegedly shot dead ASI Ravinderpal Singh, who was posted at Gharinda police station, on December 12, 2012. The ASI had countered Rana after his daughter complained that the SAD leader was harassing her.

After heated exchange of words, Rana shot ASI Ravinderpal Singh in the chest and ran away. The ASI later died.

Escape bid thwarted