Doda had motive behind Abohar killing, victims’ families tell HC

The families of the victims of the Abohar gruesome incident on Tuesday told the Punjab and Haryana high court that liquor baron Shiv Lal Doda had a motive behind the killing.

The families of the victims of the Abohar gruesome incident on Tuesday told the Punjab and Haryana high court that liquor baron Shiv Lal Doda had a motive behind the killing.

Senior advocate Anupam Gupta opposed Doda’s anticipatory bail plea, alleging that through the killing, Doda wanted to send out a message to his employees that any defiance would not be tolerated. (HT Photo)

Appearing for the families of deceased Bhim Sain and injured Gurjant Singh, senior advocate Anupam Gupta opposed Doda’s anticipatory bail plea, alleging that through the killing, Doda wanted to send out a message to his former and current employees that any defiance would not be tolerated.

Gupta also accused the police of inaction, informing the court that the police did not act as Doda was an influential man with connections at the top. He also produced photographs in which Doda could be seen with top state politicians. “Local station house officer Harinder Singh Chameli enjoyed Doda’s hospitality for four months, so how could they (police) arrest him and name him in the FIR,” Gupta claimed before the court.

Earlier, the state government also opposed Doda’s anticipatory bail plea telling the court that main accused Harpreet had revealed Doda’s involvement. The state government also argued that a day before the incident, a phone conversation took place between Harpreet and Amit, Doda’s nephew, who accompanied him in Delhi. Another conversation on the same number is recorded an hour before the incident on December 11 last year.

After hearing the arguments, the high court bench of justice MMS Bedi reserved the order.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Doda seeking the anticipatory bail in the Abohar murder case.