Tank murder case: SC adjourns Doda’s bail plea
FAZILKA: The decision on the bail application of liquor baron Shiv Lal Doda, who is an accused in the Bhim Sain Tank murder case, was adjourned by the Supreme Court till March 27 on Monday.
Opposing the bail application, the defence counsel presented before court all the documents related to recent registration of a case against Doda and 25 others for holding an illegal meeting inside the Fazilka sub-jail.
“Doda allegedly has direct patronage of ruling SAD-BJP government and did not bother about the law even inside jail, hence, acceptance of his bail application may hamper the trial of brutal murder of 27-yearold Dalit Bhim Sain Tank,” the defence counsel said.
Doda, along with his nephew Amit and 24 others, were booked for Tank’s murder at his farmhouse in Abohar on December 11, 2015. After he was caught holding an illegal meeting inside Fazilka subjail, Doda and Amit were transferred to Amritsar jail.
Doda, who owed allegiance to the SAD, had fought 2012 elections as an Independent and secured 45,825 votes. He lost to Sunil Jakhar of the Congress by 9,788 votes, while SAD-BJP nominee Laxmi Bhadhu forfeited her security deposit.
This time, he again filed nomination as an Independent from Abohar and later withdrew in favour of BJP nominee Arun Narang.
Two key witnesses, Gurjant Singh alias Janta and his brother Rana, had stated in the court of additional district and sessions judge, Fazilka, Laxman Singh, that the murder took place outside Doda’s farmhouse and not inside it as being claimed. The statement of Ajay, one of the complainants in the case, is yet to be recorded. The next hearing of case there at tge Fazilka court is on March 8.