Two acquitted of murder bid on cops near Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh
Chandigarh, February 15
Additional Sessions Judge Jaibir Singh has acquitted two persons in an attempt-to-murder case after the prosecution failed to prove charges against them.
A case was registered against Dileep Singh, alias Lalli, and Shiva, both residents of Ferozepur in Punjab, on January 12 last year after they allegedly fired at a police team in a shootout on the rear of Sukhna Lake, near the CGA Golf Range.
As per the prosecution a team of the Operation Cell of the UT police, led by Inspector Amanjot Singh, received a secret information that two persons, allegedly members of Sajjan Mali and Gagan Judge gangs, were roaming near the road separating Golf Club and Sukhna Lake with intention to snatch a car on gunpoint. They were also planning to exit Chandigarh via Kishangarh.
The prosecution stated that Inspector Amanjot Singh, along with his team, reached the rear of the lake around 4.15 pm. The police team tried to catch hold of the accused, but one of them, Dileep, pulled out a pistol and allegedly opened fire. Inspector Amanjot ducked to save himself. The second gunshot could not be fired and got stuck in the barrel of the pistol. When the other accused tried to take out pistol, Inspector Amanjot Singh with the help of other police officials overpowered them. The duo was arrested along with the firearms.
It was alleged that a .32 bore pistol and four live cartridges were recovered from Dileep Singh and a country-made pistol and two cartridges were recovered from Shiva .
On completion of the investigation, challan was presented against both accused. Finding prima facie case, charges were framed against the accused for the offences punishable under Sections 307, 353 and 34 of the IPC and under Sections 25,27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act to which they pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
The public prosecutor argued that the prosecution has proved the case beyond a shadow of doubt.
On the other hand, AS Chahal, the counsel for the accused, argued that they were falsely implicated in the case. He said there were no independent witnesses to support the prosecution version. The prosecution also failed to show how the accused reached behind the lake. There were contradiction in the statements of police officials also, Chahal contended.
After hearing the arguments, the court acquitted the accused of the charges framed against them. The court observed that the police were hell-bent on involving the accused in a serious case and it appeared that they manipulated the things for the purpose.
