‘Ration distribution’: Seven booked for assaulting woman

In a byelection-related case, seven persons were booked under Sections 173, 351 (2) and 109 of the BNS for allegedly attempting to murder the complainant’s wife, on being stopped from distributing ration to allure voters in the Rishi Nagar area here on Wednesday evening.

Pawan Kumar Arora, a resident of the Rishi Nagar area, had alleged that seven persons, led by Rahul Kumar, who is also a resident of the area, had assaulted his (Pawan’s) wife when the couple stopped them from distributing ration to influence voters. However, no arrest or recovery was made in the matter.

Ration-laden canter seized, driver booked

As part of efforts to ensure strict compliance with the poll code during the Ludhiana West byelection, the police have seized a ration-laden canter and registered a case against its driver.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, when residents in the Main Bazaar area of Sham Nagar, Ludhiana, intercepted a canter (bearing registration number Punjab 10 HT 6152) carrying a significant quantity of ration bags. Residents alleged that the ration was being distributed to influence voters in favour of a particular political party.

Following a prompt response, the police reached the scene and conducted a probe. Based on initial findings, a case has been registered against the driver, Amarjeet Singh, alias Vicky, a resident of Ratanheri village, Khanna, under Section 173 of the BNS for allegedly attempting to bribe voters.

The vehicle along with the ration has been seized by the police and further investigation is underway.

While activists intercepting the vehicle had alleged that the ration was being distributed to influence voters in favor of a particular political party, the truck driver, who was posing as Amrik Singh of Khanna, had tried to evade the situation by claiming that officials posted at the Khanna City police station had sent the consignment.

Preliminary investigation had led to the suspect’s identification as Amarjeet Singh, alias Vicky, of Ratanheri village. Following which he was booked.

Meanwhile, the Khanna police have dissociated itself from the ration-laden truck that was intercepted at Main Bazaar by residents of the Sham Nagar locality of the Ludhiana West Assembly constituency on Wednesday.

Khanna DSP Amritpal Singh Bhatti said the Khanna police were in no way linked with either the vehicle or the ration carried in it.