U-turn by nabbed man, claims was forced to lie

Mukesh Tandon
Tribune News Service
Sonepat, January 23

In a twist in the “plot” to disrupt Republic Day rally, the youth “nabbed” by the farmer leaders for creating mischief last evening has turned the tables on them by claiming he was thrashed by them and forced to narrate a concocted story to the media.

The farmer leaders, present during the press meet yesterday, have denied the accused’s statement before the police.

The ‘conspiracy’

Farmer leaders had paraded a youth nabbed by them. He reportedly confessed about a “conspiracy” to disturb the rally and eliminate four prominent farmer leaders. He claimed that there were 10 people in the team and they were getting instructions from Rai SHO Pradeep.

Farmer leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Harender Singh Lakhowal said, “We knew that he would make a u-turn from his statement and the same thing has happened today. That’s why we produced him before the media late last night where he made the statement without any pressure,” said Dallewal.

However, in a press meet, Sonepat SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa said they had conducted a DSP-level inquiry into the allegations. He said it was alleged that Rai SHO Pradeep had sent him but there was no cop by his name at Rai police station.

The youth has been identified as Yogesh Rawat (21) of New Jeewan Nagar of the city. He hails from Uttarakhand.

“We have also conducted his medical check-up in which the doctor mentioned some injury marks, especially on his back,” the SP said. There is no criminal record against Yogesh.

As there are allegations against the police, a letter has been sent to the DC to get an impartial inquiry conducted.