Two, including minor, arrested for firing outside liquor vend in Haryana's Kaithal

The Kaithal police have arrested one person and also detained a minor, for allegedly firing outside a liquor vend at Jakholi bus stop on Thursday night.

Giving details, Superintendent of Police (SP) Upasana said Amit, a resident of Balraj Nagar, Kaithal, had filed a complaint at on February 19, and alleged that he went to a liquor vend in a car with Rahul, a resident of Janakpuri Colony in Kaithal. Rahul went inside the vend to collect cash, Amit remained seated on the co-driver’s seat of the car.

Meanwhile, Sandeep, a resident of Mator, allegedly arrived on the spot and opened fire at Amit with a country-made pistol. The first shot missed the target. When Sandeep fired again, Amit tried to move back to save himself, and the bullet struck the driver’s seat of the car. Another youth accompanying Sandeep allegedly threatened Amit and told him to step out of the vehicle.

Fearing for his life, Amit moved to the back seat and escaped through the car door. He said four youths chased him, including one from Kharak Pandwa, while the identities of two others are yet to be confirmed. The accused allegedly continued firing at him during the chase.

Amit further said when he reached the gate of the grain market, Sandeep arrived there with a pistol and fired several shots, one of which hit Amit, in his right arm. To save himself, Amit hid near a truck parked inside the market, after which the accused fled the scene. He was later admitted to the Civil Hospital, Kaithal, for treatment. A case was registered at the City police station.

Special teams were constituted to arrest the accused. During the operation, the police arrested Kuldeep, at present living at Star City Colony in Kaithal from near the grain market. A 17-year-old minor from Janakpuri Colony was detained near Geong Road, she added.

The police recovered a country-made pistol, four live cartridges and one empty shell from the minor’s possession, the SP said.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the attack was allegedly motivated by an old enmity. In February 2014, Amit, along with Rahul of Dayalpur, was accused in the murder of Mandeep, a resident of Mator. A case in this regard was registered at the GRP Police Station, Kurukshetra. Both accused were acquitted in 2015.

The SP said Sandeep, brother of the deceased Mandeep, along with Kuldeep and others, allegedly planned and executed the attack to take revenge for the previous incident. The SP said the investigation also revealed that injured Amit had a criminal record, with 21 cases registered against him in districts, including Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Bhiwani GRP, related to murder, Arms Act, attempt to murder, assault, liquor smuggling, theft and fraud.

SP Upasana said raids were being conducted to arrest the remaining accused.