Bishnoi suspected Manna of being informer: Cops

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 2

A month after history-sheeter Manpreet Singh Manna’s murder outside a Malout gym, the special investigation team (SIT) today claimed to have solved the case saying jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi along with six others committed it.

Though no fresh arrests have been made, three pistols and 15 live cartridges, reportedly used in the crime, have been recovered from a drain in the Lambi area.

Muktsar SP (D) Gurmail Singh, who is heading the SIT, today said: “Lawrence Bishnoi, who is in our custody, has admitted he along with his associates gave shape to the murder. He suspected Manna of having turned a police informer and was responsible for the encounter of gang member Ankit Bhadu.

“Lawrence claimed Ankit was his and Raju Bhisodi’s associate, thus they planned to kill Manna. Bhisodi, along with four associates — Rajan, Kapil, Rahul and Rajesh, all from Haryana — carried out the crime. Further, Rohit Godara, who is also in our custody, had provided them weapons.”

He said Manna’s friend Jacky, who had suffered a leg injury in the attack on Manna, had suspected Bishnoi’s role. Two hours after the murder, a Facebook post in the name of Bishnoi claimed the murder was carried out by Raju Bhisodi since Manna had turned “a police informer for the encounter of gangster Ankit Bhadu”.

Questions raised over arms seizure

• The police claim three pistols and 15 live cartridges used in the crime were recovered from a drain in Lambi area on information provided by Lawrence Bishnoi & Rohit Godara
• However, question arises that when both were lodged amid tight security in two Rajasthan jails, how were they aware of the exact location of the weapons concealed