5 Congress leaders including MLA Rana Sodhi’s son, booked on charges of attempt to murder

MC Poll row at Guruharsahai : No relief to Congress candidates, February 26 fixed as next date of hearing  

Ferozepur, February 21:  (FOB) : On Friday, Guruharsahi police have booked five Congress leaders including MLA Rana Sodhi’s son on the complaint of Akali worker under Sections 307, 365, 148 and149 of the IPC and 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act.

On February 16, Akali worker Sukhwant Singh alias Bittu son of Kewal Singh resident of Bhularian falling under Malout Police Station – who had been in Guruharsahai to campaign for local candidate Montu Vohra for the Municipal Council polls –  had complained to the police had alleged  of attack by firing at him and injuring him, on February 14 by Anumeet Singh Sodhi son of Rana Sodhi, Nasib singh Sandhu, PA to Sodhi and Ravi Sharma, Harwinder Singh Davinder Jung, right hand persons of Sodhi, by encircling him on deporting from his car, near his residence while he was coming from Golu Ka Moud.  A shot was fired by Naseeb Singh Sandhu from his rifle  hitting at his legs.  He managed to reach on the main road where Baljinder Singh and Harpal Singh Bedi senior Akali leaders, met him who took him to the Civil Hospital and keeping in view of his serious condition, he was referred to Faridkot for hospitalization.

On the basis of his statement, the police have registered a case against all the five persons.

It may added that on February 12 Rana Sodhi had alleged that SAD workers had frightened his supporters not to file their papers for the MC polls and beat up Congress candidate Atam David and Anish at Guruharsahai.  In protest, Rana Sodhi took out a process in the city on the same day and later on, the police had booked five SAD men, including Kaish Mann and Montu Vohra.

Sodhi had alleged that Akalis did not allow him to submit their papers and Returning Officer (RO) too had intentionally shifted the venue of filing of nomination papers from his office to the Municipal Council office.  Since February 14 was the last date for submission of nomination papers, all the 15 Congress candidates could not file their papers on time as large number of Akalis did not allow them to enter the office.  The RO however, refused to entertain their nomination papers saying being late from the scheduled time.

All these Congress candidates had moved to the High Court for relief, where the next date of hearing has been fixed as February 26, the next date of polling in the state, without giving any relief.  In the meantime, the Returning Officer had issued the winning certificate to Akali candidates as unopposed.