Bail denied to accused in Ponty killing

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has declined to grant bail to an accused facing murder trial in a 2012 shoot-out here that claimed the lives of liquor baron Ponty

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has declined to grant bail to an accused facing murder trial in a 2012 shoot-out here that claimed the lives of liquor baron Ponty Chadha and his younger brother Hardeep.

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Noting that there were ‘serious allegations’ against Chaddha’s manager Narender Ahlawat, Justice PS Teji turned down his plea for relief on medical grounds.

The court said, “Ahlawat can get the medical treatment in judicial custody as opined by the medical board of AIIMS and there is no requirement to release him on bail to get medical treatment outside.”

“There are serious allegations against him and there is apprehension of influencing prosecution witnesses,” the court observed.

Ahlawat, who was on interim bail since April 2013 which was extended from time to time, has sought release from jail on the ground that he was “not required for the purpose of investigation as the charge sheet has been filed and charges have been framed against him”. This was opposed by the police, which said, “he was one of the managers of Ponty Chadha and was part of the conspiracy”.

Ponty and Hardeep, who were allegedly involved in a property dispute, were killed in a shoot-out at a Chhattarpur farmhouse here on November 17, 2012. Subsequently, Namdhari was arrested on November 23, 2012. Later, the remaining accused were apprehended.