Police raid turns fatal for wanted man

MOHALI:Tejinderpal Singh, alias Babla, who was reportedly wanted by the Nabha police in a case of supplying weapons to criminals and was facing at least three other criminal cases, died today after reportedly falling from the eighth floor of a residential complex at Sector 105 here.

Policemen examine the spot at Sector 105 in Mohali. A Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Mohali, April 23

Tejinderpal Singh, alias Babla, who was reportedly wanted by the Nabha police in a case of supplying weapons to criminals and was facing at least three other criminal cases, died today after reportedly falling from the eighth floor of a residential complex at Sector 105 here.

The incident occurred around noon at Emaar MGF Housing Society where Babla was residing with his family, comprising his parents, wife and two children, in a rented accommodation on the eighth floor of the building.

A police party from Nabha, along with the local police, conducted a raid at his residence. While Mohali SSP Kuldeep Singh Chahal claimed that Babla fell when he was trying to escape from the eighth floor with the help of a pipeline, Babla’s friend claimed that he fell when he was being manhandled by the police.

According to the SSP, Babla and all members of his family were present at the house when the police reached. Babla was in his bedroom and refused to come out. “He then tried to escape through the back door. While doing so, he fell from the eighth floor and died,” said the SSP, claiming that the police did not even get to see him today.

Baljit Choudhary, an acquaintance of Babla, claimed that his mother opened the door for the police who entered the complex in a Swift Dzire car at 11.36 am as per the entry register at the main gate. “Babla met the police in his drawing room and when they asked him to accompany them, he insisted on calling his advocate. He went inside his bedroom and the police broke open the door and started pushing him. During a scuffle in the gallery, he fell down,” claimed Choudhary.

“He died on the way to Fortis Hospital,” he claimed.

The SSP claimed that Babla was facing at least three criminal cases. “Babla was one of the four accused in a case registered under Sections 382 and 34 of the IPC at the Ramdass police station. Another case under Sections 399 and 402 of the IPC was registered against him and his four accomplices at the Majitha police station. The third case of fraud was registered against Babla at the Fatehgarh Churian police station,” said the SSP. The SSP said he supplied weapons to some criminal gangs. Babla's kin claimed he was into the business of supplements used in gyms.

The SSP said the statements of the victim's family members and other eyewitnesses were being recorded.