Ludhiana blast: 2 inmates brought on production warrant

Nikhil Bhardwaj

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 25

As part of the investigation into the Ludhiana court bomb blast, the police today brought two jail inmates on production warrant for questioning. Sources said the police also rounded up a woman constable, believed to be suspect’s girlfriend, posted at the office of an SP-rank officer in Khanna.

The two inmates — Ranjit Singh, alias Cheeta, and Sukhwinder Singh — were lodged in the Central Jail here in connection with drug smuggling and explosives recovery cases. Sukhwinder was arrested three years ago with RDX by the Khanna police.

Police sources said when deceased-cum-suspect Gagandeep Singh, a dismissed head constable, was arrested in connection with a drugs case and lodged in the jail, he had come in contact with the two. They could also be part of the conspiracy hatched by Gagandeep, the sources said.

After Gagandeep came out on bail, they remained in touch with him over the phone. They had spent time in the same barrack inside the jail, they added.

“We suspect the two could reveal details about the conspiracy, why Gagandeep took explosives to court and the intended target. Nothing could be confirmed at this stage,” said a senior police official.

Sources said the woman constable’s role had also come under the scanner as her call details suggested she had been talking to the suspect.

Meanwhile, during a raid on the suspect’s house, the National Investigation Agency and the police recovered Rs 1 lakh in cash, a laptop, etc.

Naib court, thana munshi quizzed

Several persons, including incumbent munshi (thana clerk), naib court of Ludhiana courts, a bank employee and close friends of the deceased who were in touch with the suspect, have also been rounded up for questioning by the police, said sources