11 killed in Riyadh car bomb attack

DUBAI, Nov 9: In a major strike during the fasting month of Ramadan suspected Al Qaeda suicide bombers triggered a series of explosions in a posh residential complex in the Saudi capital Riyadh around midnight killing 11 people, four of them children, and wounding over 100 including two Indians.

The state-run official news agenccy SPA quoting the Interior Ministry said that the dead included Saudis, Lebanese, Sudanese and Egyptians.

Earlier reports said an Indian was among the dead, but the Interior Ministry made no mention of it and the Indian embassy in Riyadh said "there are no Indians in the list of dead so far."

Two Indians were injured. While Mohammed Rafia was discharged after first aid, the other, Habibur Rahman was undergoing treatment in Riyadh Medical Complex, the embassy officials said.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said all but 25 of the 122 injured had been discharged from hospitals by noon.

Unspecified number of gunmen in an explosive-laden car fired at the guards and broke into the fortified compound close to the Royal Palace and the diplomatic quarters housing foreign embassies triggering at least three blasts in less than a minute around 0200 hours IST, hours after US closed its diplomatic missions in the kingdom following "credible" intelligence reports that Al Qaeda might strike.

A senior official at the site said at least five people — three Lebanese, one Sudanese and one Indian — were killed as explosions rocked the Al-Mahaya compound housing about 200 villas of mostly Saudis and a few foreigners. Indian diplomats said the identity of the killed Indian who was on guard duty has not yet been ascertained.

Al-Arabiya TV initially said 30 people were killed in the blasts but later clarified that five persons died.

There were conflicting reports about toll from a Riyadh hospital which earlier said dozens were killed and later said "only a number" of people died without specifying the figure.

There was no official statment so far about the number of dead in the blasts which took place at a time when mostly children were present in the complex and the elders were away shopping before the morning meal during the Ramzan fast.

A Saudi official said the attackers exchanged fire with guards and there were three explosions. It was unclear if three different bombs had detonated or whether it was a single that set off multiple explosions.

Residents said they heard gunshots before and after the blasts.

The blasts caused a two meter deep crater in the ground, gutted at least 15 cars and destroyed six villas, reports said.

Witnesses said an area of about 50 square meters was reduced to rubble, and nearby buildings were heavily damaged with windows shattered and doors blown off.

The injured were rushed to various hospitals in the capital which were put on a state of alert.

An official said the carnage bore the hallmarks of the Al-Qaeda network.

The method in which the bombing was executed is similar to that used in the May 12 bombings of three residential compounds which killed 35 people here including the nine attackers.

"This confirms that those who carried out the bombing belong to Al-Qaeda movement," he told AFP.

The attack comes two days after two terrorists blew themselves up in Mecca while a militant was gunned down in Riyadh. Saudi authorities had stepped up crackdown on suspected extremists following the May bombings. (PTI)

Slain Sopore youth was a militant: Army
*Protests a move to derail peace process

SRINAGAR, Nov 9: A day after the Government ordered probe into the alleged custodial death of a shopkeeper, Army today said the slain youth was a militant and termed the subsequent developments as a "motivated move to disrupt the peace process" by diverting the attention of the people through baseless allegations.

The Government ordered a probe into the killing of Mohammad Haider Bhat as natives of Sopore in north Kashmir continued massive protest demonstrations against the alleged custodial death.

Locals said Bhat, a resident of Gonipora-Rafiabad, was innocent and killed after being arrested by Army on Thursday.

The Army denied the allegations and said under the garb of concern for people, militants were inciting people to carry out protest demonstrations to fulfil their own agenda.

The truth in latest accusation, an Army spokesman said, is so stark that it negates the accusation at its origin. There was an ambush at Mazid Nar area and on observing a suspicious movement the troops challenged the militant. He opened fire and was killed in retaliatory firing. One jawan was seriously injured in the exchange of fire and an AK 47 rifle and some ammunition were recovered from his possession.

Referring to the incident, the spokesman claimed that the militants have adopted a strategy to malign security forces as a facade to mask the plunge in morale of militant cadres and rising number of surrenders.

Meanwhile, ruling as well as opposition parties continued to condemn the incident and demanded judicial probe into the alleged custodial death of Bhat.

President of the ruling PDP Mehbooba Mufti met Corps Commander of Srinagar-based 15 Corp Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma last evening and conveyed the unhappiness of the Government over the incident, party sources said today

Condemning the custodial death of Bhat, divisional secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Forum, a constituent of the coalition Government, Javed Ahmad Masoodi demanded a judicial probe into the killing of Bhat. Bhat, he alleged was arrested by security forces on October 21 and killed at Prang-Kangan on Thursday last.

Masoodi asked the Government to provide compensation to the bereaved family.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference, a constituent of Hurriyat Conference headed by Maulana Abbass Ansari, also strongly condemned the killing of the shopkeeper.

In a statement a spokesman of the Peoples Conference said Bhat was picked up by 24 Rashtria Rifles from his shop on October 21, 2003 and was taken to some unknown place. His body was later thrown on roadside at Ganderbal.

He alleged a drama of encounter was enacted to justify the custodial killing of Bhat by the Army.

He described the Chief Minister’s statement about holding of talks with the militants to help restore peace, as "false and shameful". (PTI)

‘Brahmos’ successfully test fired

BALASORE (ORISSA), Nov 9: The fifth test fire of the ‘Brahmos’, the super-sonic Cruise missile with a range of 290 km, was today successfully conducted from a mobile launcher from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, about 13 km from here.

After achieving the precision guidance capability in surface-to-surface version from a fixed launcher in its fourth trial on October 29 last, the missile was test-fired at 1204 hours to check its other parameters, Defence sources said.

The present version of ‘Brahmos’, the product of an Indo-Russian joint venture weighing about three tonnes, can strike a target located at 290 km. The missile is eight metre long and carries a conventional war-head weighing about 200 kg.

A two-stage vehicle, the missile’s propulsion consists of a solid propellant booster and liquid propellant ramjet system.

Brahmos is the first and only supersonic Cruise missile using Liquid Ramjet technology.

It can travel at Mach 2.823 and has been configured to be launched from either land, ship, sub-marine and aircraft.

The first demonstration flight took place in a vertical configuration on June 12, 2001 while the second was fired from an inclined plane on April 28, 2002. The third launch was conducted from a war-ship of the navy in the Bay of Bengal on February 12, 2003. "Observation ships at down range near the point of impact about 290 kms from the launch site reported the launch was a total success," a Defence Ministry statement said in New Delhi.

The trial assumed significance as it demonstrated the reliability and ruggedness of the missile which was fired from a mobile launcher with advanced fire control system, it said.

"The trajectory performance parameters have been captured by instrumentation network connecting the integrated test range and the ships at down range," it said.

After witnessing the flight along with Chief Controller Research and Development and CEO of Brahmos A Sivathanu Pillai, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Arun Prakash complemented the scientists for the successful test firing.

A large number of private and public sector industries in India and Russia are actively participating in the development of the missile system. (PTI)

TN journalists continue protests

CHENNAI, Nov 9: Journalists across Tamil Nadu observed fasts and held demonstrations to protest against the State Assembly’s order, sentencing six journalists, including the Editor and the Executive Editor of ‘The Hindu,’ to 15-days simple imprisonment in a breach of privilege case, even as leaders of various political parties pledged their solidarity.

As the protests against the State Assembly issuing arrest warrants against the journalists, including ‘Murasoli’ editor P Selvam, nephew of DMK president M Karunanidhi, growing in all parts of the country, corps from the print and electronic media in Tamil Nadu continued their agitation for the second successive day today.

In the city, about 500 journalists from almost all newspapers, journals and television channels, observed a day’s fast inside the Chennai Press Club as city Police Commissioner K Vijayakumar denied permission to hold it in front of the State Guest House, the venue, where fasts and demonstrations were generally held.

A couple of hours after the journalists began the fast, inaugurated by veteran journalist Chinnakuthoosi at 0800 hrs, there was a heavy downpour. Braving the sharp showers, they raised slogans, denouncing Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Assembly Speaker K Kalimuthu for trying to arrest the journalists, taking shelter under the Assembly.

Expressing solidarity with the agitating journalists, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, a POTA detenue, observed fast in the Vellore Central prison, in his capacity as editor of the party organ ‘Sangoli,’ reports received here said.

Various journalists organisations in the city had sent a letter to Mr Kalimuthu urging him to revoke the arrest warrant, Madras Union of Journalists president Bhagwan Singh said. Senior journalists and leaders of various political parties, who addressed the fasting newspersons, demanded that the Government stop its misadventure and withdraw the arrest warrants.

Union Minister M Kannappan, BJP national secretary L Ganesan, Pattali Makkal Katchi president G K Mani, former Labour Minister and INS president Veerendra Kumar, DMK leaders and former ministers Arcot N Veerasamy and Aladi Aruna, AICC secretary G K Vasan, TNCC working president E V K S Elangovan and former AIADMK minister S Kannappan were among others, who expressed their solidarity.

Journalists in Coimbatore also observed a day’s fast, while those in Madurai held protest demonstration. Presspersons in Salem and Tuticorin wore black badges as a mark of protest.

Communist Party of India leader D Raja and state unit secretary R Nallakannu addressed the fasting journalists in Coimbatore and expressed their solidarity. Journalists in Thanjavur announced an agitation for tomorrow.

DMK leader in Pondicherry R V Janakiraman called for a human chain agitation on November 12, reports said. (UNI)

Mufti arrives in London

Excelsior Special Correspondent

LONDON, Nov 9: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed arrived here today to participate in London World Tourism Mart.

The Chief Minister is heading a 7- member Jammu and Kashmir delegation to the Mart which includes Minister for Tourism Ghulam Hassan Mir.

Mufti Sayeed was received at the Heathrow airport by Minister Economic, Indian High Commission, C. Phunsog.

Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Bhavnaben Chikhalia will inaugurate the Indian pavilion at the Mart tomorrow. Mufti Sayeed will also be present on the occasion.

The focus of Jammu and Kashmir at the London Mart would be Vaishnodevi pilgrimage so that more

and more pilgrim tourists are attracted from Europe to the holy cave shrine situated in the Trikuta hills in Jammu region.

Other highlights at the Mart would be the world famous popular tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Pahalgam as these are being promoted as global resorts in a big way. The facilities at these picturesque spots are being expanded and upgraded to make these of international standards.

Mobile service mired in difficulties

SRINAGAR, Nov 9: The newly introduced mobile telephony service in the Valley, is facing difficulties, with both Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Power Development Department (PDD), blaming each other for the poor services.

BSNL officials shift the blame to PDD for not providing them with the requisite power voltage for smooth functioning of the systems in their mobile exchange here.

"The power department is not providing us with the right voltage. Then there are unscheduled power cuts which also affect the system," a BSNL official said.

However, Chief Engineer PDD Syed Khurshaid Ahmad said his department was not going to take suo moto action on the faults or shortcomings within the premises of BSNL.

"They should have written to our department and we would have done the needful. But they are making verbal complaints and that’s not how we work," Ahmad said.

The showdown between the sole telephone service provider in Jammu and Kashmir and states’ power department is rendering the service useless.

"It has been two weeks since my mobile phone was activated but I can not make calls as the network is busy most of the times," Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, a mobile phone subsciber, said.

"Incoming calls are also a rare as the caller gets a message that the phone is `out of reach’ or `swicthed off’. If this is the situation when BSNL has issued less than 9,000 connections how will it manage the call traffic when the service becomes free for all?" Dar, a teacher by profession, said.

"I stay just five kilometres away from the Lal Chowk area where BSNL office is located and mobile phones do not work in my area. The company had made tall claims about the service being available all along the national highway and in all major towns within months, Farooq Ahmad Parray, a businessman living in the posh Hyderpora area, said.

Parray said permitting use of long range cordless phones on fixed lines was a much better option than non-functional mobile phones.

Some cynics also see regional discrimination in the malfunctioning mobile telephone service in Kashmir valley.

"I fail to understand the reasons that BSNL is giving. First was the army refusing to give permission for erecting tower and now it is PDD. Doesn’t the company have to deal with these people in Jammu?" asked Tassaduq Bhat.

Some of the subscribers are contemplating to move consumer courts against the faulty mobile service while others are demanding permission to private players to provide service in the State to break BSNL’s monopoly. (PTI)

‘Jollywood’ gets recognition from Academia
JU organises first Dogri film festival

By Lalit Gupta

JAMMU, Nov 9: The First Dogri Film Festival held today at the auditorium of Jammu University (JU) marked a historic event in the cultural scenario of the State. By screening three short films in Dogri, directed and written by Ved Rahi, the film fest not only gave due honour to the one of the best film makers produced by State, but also overdue recognition to the growing film industry of Jammu- the Jollywood.

Today not many people know that in the State there is growing tribe of film professionals including directors, editors, cameramen, script writers, light experts, sound recordists, musicians, actors, dancers, spot boys et al, who are involved in making programmes for various Doordarshan Kendras in the state including Srinagar, Jammu, Leh and also for satellite channels like DD1, DD Bharti and DD Kashir.

Though many of the progra-mmes produced by State based film professionals have been awarded and declared as technically sound productions, but unlike other art forms like literature, fine arts and performing arts, there has been no public recognition for the art of film making as well as for the professional involved in it.

The Dogri film festival, organized by the Post Graduate Department of Dogri, University of Jammu (JU), today, marked first such initiative towards the public felicitation of a film maker. It is no surprise that when the other concerned institutions are found to be wanting in this regard the recognition for film making has come from the academia- University of Jammu.

Today’s festival which was attended by eminent members of the Jammu’s civil society opened with ‘Bobo Kadoon Aoug’, the much acclaimed short film in Dogri language. Produced for Jammu Doordarshan the film can be called as one of the best films made by Ved Rahi who since few decades is living in Bombay and working as script and dialogue writer and director. Based on the award winning short story of Ved Rahi, the film is a very sensitive portrayal of the love between a young brother and his sister and highlights the void which the brother feels after the marriage of his sister. ‘Bobo Kadoon Aoug’ which is well made film, on one hand allows the spectator to have a glimpse into life and the cultural ethos of Dogras as well as successfully brings to our focus one of the universal aspects of human relationship.

The other film screened on the occasion was a docu-drama on the life and works of well known Dogri poet, Dinu Bhai Pant. In a befitting tribute to the modern Dogra poet whose lyrics were sung by the masses in 1950’s and 60’s, Ved Rahi’s use of a specially written biographical ‘Karak’- the musical folk form that eulogizes Gods and saints- was one of the many aspects which characterise the artistic aspect of the film which was produced for Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.

The last film shown in the festival was ‘Himmat’ which is based on the true story of four young boys from village Lehote of Doda district who were awarded for showing exemplary courage against a militant attack on their village on 19th July, 1999. Shot in the actual location, the short film empthatically portrays the life of Dogra hill highland communities as well as spirit of valor. The function in which Works Minister Madan Lal Sharma was guest of honour and Dy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma was the chief guest, who while speaking on the occasion said that films of Ved Rahi have universal appeal and remind us of those moments which we all have lived in our lives.

Prof Amitabh Mattoo,VC,JU, in his presidential address said that the festival will be made an annual event.

CBI may probe visa racket

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: The Central Bureau of Inves-tigation’s inquiry into the visa racket involving some officials of the Indian High Commission in Britain may also unravel the truth behind similar allegations of cheating and forgery against Punjabi pop singer Daler Mehndi.

The agency earlier this week registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) into the "visa racket" following a request by the External Affairs Ministry as certain allegations had been levelled by the Scotland yard that some officials posted in the Indian mission in Britain were involved in forging travel documents.

"As part of the investigation into the case if certain facts come to fore which has connection to any other case that could also be probed," a top agency source told UNI when asked if the charges against Daler Mehndi could be taken up by CBI.

Similar charges have also been levelled against another Punjabi pop singer Sukhwinder alias Sukha Dilliwala.

The allegations against Daler of taking people abroad, including countries like the United States, Britain and other European destinations, on illegal visa as part of his troupe after accepting huge money is presently being probed by the Punjab Police.

The case could directly be investigated by the CBI only if a notification is issued by the State Government transferring the case to the agency.

However, if during the inquiry into the visa-racket case related to the officials at Indian High Commission at London certain facts emerge which show connection to the music performer, the allegations against him could be brought under the ambit of the present case, the sources said.

Maintaining that CBI cannot suo-motu take up the investigation into the case, Director P C Sharma said the agency, however, was competent enough to probe the case of this kind.

Normally, CBI is handed over the investigation of a case which has inter-state and international ramifications and considering this the visa racket case against Daler is the fit case for a CBI probe.

According to the FIR registered by the Punjab Police on the basis of a large number of complaints, Daler with the help of his brother Samsher Mehndi and other associates were sending people abroad by forging the visa in connivance with officials in various Indian Embassies and High Commission abroad.

So far allegations against the Mehndi group has been made from people in Punjab, but it is suspected that residents of some other northern states were also the victim of their illegal operation.

The complainant alleged that Daler and his brother Shamsher had taken money from them on the promise of sending them abroad, but did not keep their promise. They did not even return the money.

Daler has categorically denied his involvement in the case and said if the visa racket was being run by his brother Shamsher, whom he had disowned in 1998, he had no knowledge of it.

"All my trips have been approved long ago and the details of the people who travelled with me is available. There are only a few members in my troupe and there was no question of taking any body else with me," he told reporters while presenting his defence.

He had in fact charged some senior officials of Punjab Police of asking lakhs of rupees to "dilute" charges against him.

A Patiala Court has issued a non-bailable warrant against Daler who is absconding after his anticipatory bail, granted by the Delhi High Court, expired.

The Punjab Police has on several occasions raided his premises in the capital and various places in Punjab, but has failed to arrest him. Daler was questioned by the police for two days during which he denied most of the charges against him.

Giving details of the PE, the sources said a team of the Scotland Yard had recently visited the agency headquarters here and sought its assistance in the probe being conducted by the immigration authority in Britain.

The officials of the Scotland Yard informed the agency that the passports, meant for emergency purposes, were often and issued to the people allegedly in connivance with travel agents.

Recently, CBI had filed a case against two officials posted in the Indian Mission at Trinidad and Tobago were booked by the CBI for stealing passports meant for emergency purposes.

The favourite destination for people running visa rackets is the United States, Britain, Canada, Ethiopia, Greece and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Most of the people taking the illegal route to these countries belong to Punjab. (UNI)

Pak Sikh body given recognition

NANKANA SAHIB (PAKISTAN), Nov 9: The Apex Sikh body Shiromani Gurudwar Prabhandhak Committee has accorded recognition to its Pakistani counterpart in the presence of 500 Sikhs who have gathered here from all across the globe to observe the 534th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

"SGPC is ready to extend all possible help to the PSGPC (Pakistan Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee) for the maintenance and up-lift of Sikh Gurdwaras in Pakistan," Balkar Singh, Professor of Punjabi University who had been nominated by the SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra to lead the group of Sikh pilgrims to Nankana Sahib, said.

SGPC member Bibi Kamlesh Kaur, who is also the part of the group said the Apex Sikh body had sent one lakh rupees to hand over to PSGPC for the development of Sikh shrines in Pakistan.

The PSGPC co-chairman Sham Singh welcomed the decision. PSGPC was formed in 1999 by the Pakistan Government which barred SGPC to interfere in any affairs related to Pakistan based Gurdwara. In protest, the then SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur stopped sending Sikh groups to Pakistan. However, the Pakistani body was accorded recognition by its Indian counterpart only yesterday.

Paramjit Singh Sarna, former president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DSGPC) who is leading the Sikh Jatha from Delhi, welcomed the decision and urged Pakistan Government to allow Indian Sikhs with free access to all Sikh Gurdwaras in the country.

Pakistan Minister for Minority Raees Munir Khan assured the Sikh devotees that his Government would allow the Sikh masses to visit Pakistan frequently. (PTI)

Two children killed in shelling

SRINAGAR, Nov 9: Pakistani troops shelled Kargil town this afternoon killing two children and inflicting injuries to four others, official sources said.

Sources told UNI that Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked mortar and artillery shells from across the border targeting civilian areas and security force installations in Kargil sector.

About a dozen shells fell in and around Kargil town causing panic and disrupting normal life.

A shell fell near a ground where children were playing cricket, causing on the spot death of a child while five others were wounded, the sources said.

The wounded where admitted to the district hospital where another succumbed.

Ghulam Mohammad, a resident told UNI over phone that people in the town ran for safety after the shells fell in the town. Most shopkeepers downed their shutters and traffic was also disrupted, he said.

People went inside the underground bunkers, he added.

Sources said Indian troops also retaliated and hit a number of Pakistani bunkers. However, casualities suffered by Pakistani troops were not immediately known.

Yesterday two porters were killed in Pakistani shelling at Batalik in the Kargil sector. (UNI)

HM comdr surrenders in Rajouri
*Cop injured in cross-firing

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9: An ‘area commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit Ishtyaq alias Saifullah today surrendered before police at village Niyali under the jurisdiction of Manjakote police station in Rajouri district.

He handed over one AK-56 rifle, one pistol, one wireless set and one AK magazine at the time of surrender.

Saifullah was an active militant of Hizbul Mujahideen for last three years. Recently, he had been appointed the outfit’s ‘area commander’.

Meanwhile, a police constable, who had come to his house on leave, was injured in exchange of firing between the militants and security forces at Hali Maidan in Nowgam area of Banihal in Doda district last night.

Identified as Riaz Ahmed son of Abdul Rashid Khan, a constable of JKAP 8th battalion, the injured constable was shifted to Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla in Srinagar.

Militants escaped after the incident.

Meanwhile, two militants killed in an encounter with army and police at Lowang, Bani in Kathua district yesterday, have been identified as Aiyaz Anjum alias Hyder Ali of Pakistan and Mohd Abbas Wani son of Ghuam Qadir R/o Khauch, Ramnagar in Udhampur district.

Reports said that three militants were reportedly killed in the encounter. Body of third militant appeared to have been taken away by his fleeing associates.

Three infiltrators, eliminated by army in Loran, Mandi in Poonch yesterday, have been identified as Mohd Iqbal, Abu Usmaan and Shahid, all Pakistanis.

Two bodies exhumed in Gool

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9: Bodies of two youths including a Rehbar-e-Taleem teacher, who were killed in the exchange of firing with army at Deedha Gool in Ramban police district last week and buried as they were presumed as militants, were exhumed today in presence of SDPO Mahore, Additional DC Udhampur and army officers besides local people.

A Defence spokesman said the bodies were identified as that of Abdul Majeed, 25, son of Ahmedu and Abdul Kareem son of Abdul Sadiq, 40, both residents of Deedha. Majeed was a Rehbar-e-Taleem teacher. Both were killed in cross-firing and were mistaken as the militants, he added.

Following people’s protests, the authorities agreed to exhume the bodies, which were today handed over to their family members.

SHO Batote suspended

Excelsior Special Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 9: SHO Batote Inspector Manzoor Manhas was today placed under suspension by SP Ramban Danish Rana after an inquiry ordered against him confirmed his involvement in releasing two narcotics smugglers and in their place arresting two innocent persons. Inspector Anil Kumar has been posted as new SHO Batote.

As the news of SHO Batote’s suspension reached Batote town, people took to streets strongly appreciating the decision saying he was encouraging anti-social elements in the peaceful town.

SP Ramban Danish Rana told Excelsior that SHO Batote had released two charas smugglers Nissar Ahmed of Gopalpura and Fayyaz Ahmed Bhat, a BSF constable after arresting them from a SRTC bus alongwith charas on October 24. Instead, he arrested bus driver Haji Ali Mohd and conductor Mohd Iqbal Manhas and showed them as charas smugglers.

Following complaints from family members of arrested people, Rana ordered an inquiry into the incident. Inquiry committee comprised SDPO Banihal Jaswant Singh, SHO Ramban Kewal Kishore Gupta and ASI Lal Singh.

It was established during inquiry of the case that the SHO had released the accused after "reaching a monetary deal" with them and booked driver and condutor of the bus in charas smuggling. Driver and conductor were still in custody.

On the basis of inquiry, Rana said, the SHO was today placed under suspension and was replaced by Inspector Anil Kumar.
 
 
 
 

 

 

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