INLD leaders released from Patiala jail

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 27

Four days after their arrest, the Punjab Police today withdrew charges against Abhay Chautala and other INLD leaders and released them from the Central Jail in Patiala.

The police told the court of SDM, Rajpura, that the accused were arrested for apprehension of breach of peace and tranquility and they did not pose any such threat at present, following which the court ordered their release.

The Shambhu police informed the court of Harpreet Singh Sudan that the INLD leaders were initially arrested under Section 188 of the IPC for violating the order of the Patiala administration banning the assembly of more than four persons in Patiala.

While tight security arrangements were made outside the court in Rajpura, the police did not present the leaders in court. The police escorted them to Chandigarh, where they were released.

On February 23, INLD workers, along with many supporters, entered Patiala district via Shambhu barrier, following which they were arrested.

“They did not apply for bail even though the offence was bailable. They had been taken into preventive custody to ensure law and order in the wake of their threat to dig the SYL canal,” said Patiala SSP S Bhupathi.