More trouble for Cong leader

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 24

Arrested by the police two days ago in connection with the HCS (Judicial) paper leak scam, local Congress leader Sunil Chopra, alias Titu’s problems seem to be rising. The prosecution on Thursday told the court that Sunil not only lured candidates for selling the leaked paper but also disclosed to them the contents of the paper. The police were granted a remand of two more days to grill Chopra to prove these claims.

The police told the court they wanted to interrogate the five — Chopra, Ayushi Gidhara, her father Subhash Godhara and two candidates Monty and Jassi. The police said they had to go to Rajasthan and Delhi for the purpose and also to recover other documents. The police also mentioned Kuldeep, alias Kittu, brother of accused Sunita, claiming that Titu had disclosed the contents of the paper to him as well.

As the defence counsel argued that the police had no clinching evidence to substantiate their claims, DSP Krishan Kumar told the court that these facts had emerged in Ayushi’s disclosure statement. He also presented a transcript of a telephonic conversation between Ayushi and Sunita wherein the former is allegedly heard saying that the contents of the paper were disclosed by Chopra.

Chopra’s medical examination to be conducted twice a day

Allowing the application of defence counsel Malkit Singh Jandiala, the court has directed that Chopra’s medical examination will be conducted twice a day. As per the application, Sunita had told the same court that she was given third-degree torture and was even given electrical shocks during the recording of her disclosure statement. “We have apprehensions that the same could be done to Chopra and hence we moved this application,” said Jandiala.

Three persons, including Sharma and two beneficiaries Sunita and Sushila — were booked by the police in the high-profile case. A High Court committee looking into the case had recommended scrapping of the examination after prima facie finding that some candidates had access to the question paper. Chopra and Ayushi are the latest arrests in the case.

 The committee had said at least two candidates, Sunita and Sushila, had the question paper. The committee had also stated that accused Balwinder Sharma unequivocally denied prior acquaintance with Sunita, the general category topper. The call details furnished by the service provider, on the other hand, revealed that 760 calls and SMSes were exchanged between Sharma and Sunita over the past one year.