Estate officer’s driver attacked, land mafia blamed

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 12

Three unidentified persons attacked the driver of Sushant Bhatia, Estate Officer, Municipal Corporation (MC), on Thursday evening. The victim, Sukhdev Singh, said the assailants came on a bike, pointed a gun at him and and sought the whereabouts of Sushant Bhatia.

Sukhdev requested them not to shoot him. The assailants allegedly thrashed him. They hit him on his head with the pistol butt, making him fell unconscious. The attackers fled from the spot.

After regaining consciousness, he phoned Sushant Bhatia. He was rushed to the nearby hospital where he is undergoing treatment. The police have recorded the statement of Sukhdev for further action.

MC Estate Officer Sushant Bhatia said the attackers wanted to deliver a message for me through my driver. “I am suspecting that land mafia is upset due to the routine action against encroachers occupying MC properties. I might be their next target. I am worried for my driver as he has sustained severe injuries,” he said.

Sushant Bhatia had joined as the Estate Officer in April this year. He has been a whistle-blower in the case of missing lease documents of MC properties. After his joining, he prepared a list of missing documents and complained to the commissioner. He identified several encroached properties and missing land records of the civic body. The MC took possession of several prime properties with his efforts.