UT cop held for dera chief’s escape bid

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 16

The Panchkula police have arrested UT Head Constable Lal Singh, who was posted in the intelligence wing, in connection with Dera Sacha Sauda Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s escape bid on August 25. Lal Singh was in Panchkula, but not on official duty.

With the arrest of Lal Singh, the Panchkula police have so far arrested 13 policemen of Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab and Rajasthan in connection with the dera chief’s escape bid.

Confirming the development, Panchkula Police Commissioner AS Chawla said Lal Singh was seen in the video footage outside the District Courts complex on August 25. Asked, the Chandigarh Police told the Panchkula police that there were no written orders of Lal Singh’s duty in Panchkula on August 25.

The Panchkula police have already arrested a police official of Rajasthan, eight of the Haryana Police, including commandos posted in the security of the dera chief, and three Punjab policemen.

4 Punjab cops on the radar

The Panchkula police have sought details of four Punjab Police intelligence officials, who were also present in Panchkula on August 25. The police have sought a copy of the official orders of their posting in Panchkula. A senior police official said in case the Punjab Government failed to provide the documents, they would soon arrest them as well.

3 pvt security men at large

Three private security men, wanted in connection with the dera chief’s escape bid, are absconding. Police Commissioner AS Chawla said they were conducting raids to arrest them.

2 held for sheltering  Honeypreet

The Panchkula police have arrested Sharanjit Kaur and Gurmeet Singh, both residents of Jangirana village in Bathinda district of Punjab, under Section 216 of the IPC for providing shelter to Honeypreet for 10 days. They have also arrested Gopal Bansal, a resident of Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, in connection with the Panchkula violence. He was part of the 45-member Dera Sacha Sauda committee.