UP police probe gangster’s release

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 22

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) from Uttar Pradesh, Anand Kumar, today interrogated six persons arrested by the Punjab police intelligence wing on the charges of facilitating money for the release of notorious gangster Gopi Ghanshampuria.

Ghanshampuria was nabbed by the UP Special Task Force (STF) from Shahjahanpur on September 10, but was later released by its officers after Congress leader Sandeep Tiwari allegedly felicitated a deal for the same.

Sources said Ghanshampuria’s alleged accomplices Randeep Singh, Harjinder Singh Kohli and Amandeep Singh who were arrested from Uttar Pradesh had revealed during the investigations that an IG-rank official — Amitabh Yash — was instrumental in the deal. However, Sandeep Tiwari kept mum over the issue even after repeated questioning by the intelligence wing. Following the media reports, the UP Chief Minister had ordered ADGP Anand Kumar to probe the matter.

Anand Kumar questioned the six suspects — Pintoo Tiwari, Rimple, Baljinder Singh Doni, Kohli, Amandeep and Gurpreet Singh — and exchanged the information with the intelligence unit which is investigating the case.

Meanwhile, the six accused have been remanded in judicial custody by a local court.

Cong connection

After his arrest on September 10, Gopi Ghanshampuria had contacted Doni who was lodged in the Amritsar Central Jail. Doni had then reportedly contacted Rimple through someone and asked him to arrange money for Gopi release. Rimple, along with Gurpreet Singh, had contacted Amandeep Singh who is Gurpreet Singh’s brother-in-law.

Through Amandeep, they met Harjinder and then Pintoo. A prominent Congress leader, Sandeep Tiwari, allegedly had contacts with the gangster and senior police officials. Tiwari had then struck a deal with STF top cops, said a police official.

Missing accomplice

A team of Punjab’s intelligence wing was already in UP for arresting an alleged gangster, Rubal. Sources said he was also instrumental in arranging the release money and had escaped to UP after Rimple’s arrest. Many more associates of Rimple involved in the criminal activities had reportedly gone underground. Sources said Rimple was involved in several criminal activities. His steep rise could be accredited to the political shelter he was getting, said sources.