Five acquitted in Panchkula violence case

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 12

The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Neerja Kulwant Kalson acquitted five persons in a case related to violence by dera followers in Panchkula last year.

Those acquitted are Patiala residents Amrit Pal (33), Jagtar Singh (31), Dalbir Singh (35) and Gurinder Singh (25), and Rohtak resident Madhur Hans (26).

According to the police, Ashwani Rana, a photojournalist with a Hindi newspaper, along with his senior Sanjeev Mahajan, was present at Sector 5, Panchkula, to cover commotion committed by dera followers. A mob attacked him and snatched his bag carrying a camera, a lens and flash.

The chargesheet was filed under Sections 149 (member of unlawful assembly), 379-A (2) (snatching) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC.

As the accused could not be identified, the court commented that the prosecution failed to prove the case and acquitted them.

In July this year, six persons were acquitted of damaging the property of Haryana State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Sector 4 near Hafed Chowk—the epicentre of the violence. In May, six persons were acquitted for violence at Hafed Chowk.