Cops clueless about Bhatia assault suspect

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 19

Though seven months have elapsed, the police are clueless about the key accused who attacked Congress Councillor Jeet Singh Bhatia. Cops are also silent on the reason behind the assault.

The police had arrested Ajay Gill, who slapped Bhatia, Rajvir Singh of Mohkampura, Navraj Singh, alias Harry, of Tarn Taran road, Mohna Pehalwan and Kahno of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar and Tidda of Majitha road.

Around seven attackers, including three women, had turned up in Bhatia’s ward on October 5, 2018 when he was inspecting waterlogged streets. One of them slapped the councillor on his turban before fleeing. Cabinet ministers Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sukh Sarkaria had assured to crack the case within two days.

During investigation, the police found that Abhishek Shanky was the key accused, who planned attack on Bhatia. Jeet Singh Bhatia and his supporters had alleged that a local politician was behind the attack. Police officials had claimed that the motive of attack could be revealed only after the arrest of the key accused. The police appear to have put the case on the back burner.

Jeet Singh Bhatia said, “Senior leaders had assured arrest of the man behind the attack, but the police failed to arrest Abhishek Shanky. After meeting police officers time and again, I believe that they are not wiling to arrest him. I don’t know the present status of the case, but it appears to have been back-burnered.”

Jagjit Singh Walia, ADCP-1, said, “I am not aware of the present status of the case. I will check it.”

The supporters of Bhatia continue to fume and blame senior party leaders.