Gang rivalry shootout at Bhiwani court; cop killed

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, May 7

A Head Constable was killed when three assailants opened fire on an undertrial at Siwani courts complex in Bhiwani district on Monday. The police claimed the assailants had come to eliminate Sunil, alias Kala, member of a rival gang, who was produced in court in connection with a murder case.

The undertrials, including Kala, were being escorted back to a police vehicle when the assailants opened fire. Head Constable Bhagirath was hit in the head and died on the spot. ASI Gauri Shankarand and undertrials Kala and Jai Kumar, alias Bhadaria, suffered splinter injuries, the police said.

SP Ganga Ram Punia said the police and a special police officer (SPO) overpowered one of the alleged shooters, while another was caught by bystanders.

The two have been identified as Sumit and Manjit, residents of Mithi village in Bhiwani. The third assailant, Ajay Isharwal, is at large.

Police spokesperson Nase-eb Singh said the incident was the fallout of gang rivalry and the Mithi gang had come to eliminate rival gang member Kala. In 2015, Kala and accomplice Kapil had allegedly killed Bijender of Mithi village and two others in Rajasthan. Kapil was later killed allegedly by Bijender’s brothers Sunil and Sonu, who are lodged in jail.

DGP BS Sandhu, while expressing sorrow  over the demise of Bhagirath, announced assistance of Rs 30 lakh for the next of kin. A job under the special ex-gratia scheme would be offered to one of the family members. The Bar Association of Siwani, meanwhile, has decided to suspend work indefinitely to protest lax security at the courts.

Past violence at courts

May 14, 2015: Undertrial shot, cop hurt at Hisar district courts complex

March 28, 2017: Gangster Ramesh Lohar shot by two men outside Rohtak courts

May 18, 2017: Undertrial Sher Singh shot by three men inside Bhiwani courts

May 31, 2017: Three injured in firing on murder accused near Karnal courts complex

Sept 8, 2017: Murder accused freed, four cops injured in firing at Mahendragarh