Armed men hold cops hostage outside Batala court, free convict

Tribune News Service

Batala, June 22

Notorious gangster Sukhpreet Singh Harry, allegedly involved in a firing incident at VMS College on April 16, today escaped from police custody with the help of his nine accomplices.

Inderbir Singh, SSP, said he was heading the team formed to probe the incident. He said prima facie it appeared that it was a well-planned conspiracy.

Eyewitnesses claimed that at least nine of Harry’s men, armed with firearms, came in two vehicles and flashed guns at the three policemen guarding him before taking him along with them.

Harry, a murder convict, was lodged in the Amritsar Central Jail. He was brought to the Batala civil courts for hearing in a firing case registered against him at Civil Lines police station.

The incident took place over the elections of college students’ union. Harry reportedly wanted his group should return to power without having to face any opposition from the other group.

The SSP said a case had been registered against Satnam Singh, ASI, and two constables. “If the policemen are found guilty, departmental action will also be taken against them,” he said.

The April 16 incident had threatened to snowball into a major political controversy as the college is owed by Batala MLA Ashwani Sekhri. The IG (Border range), Ishwar Chander Sharma, was rushed to the city. The incident remained in news as the police managed to arrest the accused after several days.

Sources said Harry arrived at the Batala courts from Amritsar jail this morning in a police van.

After the hearing, three policemen accompanying him took Harry to a dhaba outside the court as Harry desired to have a cold drink.

The sources said even as there was a canteen on the court premises, the policemen preferred to take him to an eatery outside the court where Harry's accomplices were already waiting for them.

They allegedly pointed pistol at the policemen and snatched their arms before fleeing with Harry who was handcuffed.