NIA gets 7-day custody of four terror accused

Mohali, July 22

A local court on Monday remanded four terror accused nabbed in Amritsar to seven days in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody. The four accused, identified as Ravinderpal Singh, Jagdev Singh, Harcharan Singh and Nishan Singh, have been handed over to the NIA, which has recently taken over the case from the Punjab Police.

The Punjab Police operation cell had registered a case under the Arms Act, Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances (Amendment) Act 2001, Sections 17, 18, 18B and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, at their police station in Amritsar on May 30.

The police claimed that the accused were conspiring to disturb peace and harmony in the state during the ‘Ghalughara’ week. “Three country-made pistols and some rounds were also recovered from their possession.” It further claimed that the accused were being supported by certain foreign-based terrorists.

According to Jaspal Singh, the defence counsel, his clients were implicated in a false case. “Now, they will be taken to Delhi by the NIA sleuths for further investigation,” he added.

The defence counsel said Jagdev Singh was working as a body shop manager with NEXA in Amritsar while Harcharan Singh was an interior designer and Nishan Singh an agriculturist. — TNS