Ludhiana: Three held for assaulting garment trader e-rickshaw agency

The injured, Dalip Grover, a resident of Ranjit Singh Park near Shingar Cinema, was initially taken to Civil Hospital and later referred to CMC Hospital in view of the seriousness of his injuries

A garment trader was allegedly held captive and assaulted by a group of 20 to 25 people at an e-rickshaw agency in Basti Jodhewal on Tuesday following a dispute over the return of security cheques. The victim has claimed that a chemical was later poured into his eye, leaving him visually impaired.

Victim alleges 20-25 people assaulted him over dispute involving return of security cheques. (HT File)

The injured, Dalip Grover, a resident of Ranjit Singh Park near Shingar Cinema, was initially taken to Civil Hospital and later referred to CMC Hospital in view of the seriousness of his injuries.

Police have arrested three people — Abid Ansari, Lakhan Kumar and Kasur Alam, all residents of Lucky Enclave — and are conducting raids to trace the remaining suspects.

According to Grover’s complaint, his friend had purchased an e-rickshaw from the agency and paid the full amount, but the agency allegedly did not return the security cheques despite repeated requests. Grover said he and his friend had been visiting the agency for nearly 15 days to collect the cheques, but were repeatedly given different dates and timings.

On Tuesday afternoon, the two again went to the agency to collect the cheques. During a conversation, an argument broke out, following which Grover alleged that 20 to 25 people surrounded him and began assaulting him.

He alleged that he suffered a serious head injury and multiple injuries to his body during the assault. He further claimed that after he was beaten, the accused poured a chemical into his eye, following which he was unable to see properly. Grover also alleged that some women present at the spot threatened to implicate him in a false molestation case.

Grover subsequently informed Shiv Sena Punjab leaders Rajiv Tandon and Pawan Mann and their associates about the incident. They reached the agency along with the police and, after efforts, Grover was brought out of the premises and taken to hospital.

An FIR has been registered under Sections 109 (attempt to murder), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing simple hurt), 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 127 (2) (wrongfully confines any person) ,304 (2) (snatching), 191 (3) (rioting while armed with a deadly weapon or an object likely to cause death),190 (Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 351 (3) (criminal intimidation) of the BNS.

ASI Sukhdev Singh, who is investigating the case, said “The police were examining Grover’s allegation that a probe is underway.”