In a third attack this year on lawyer Vineet Mahajan who had dragged local bodies minister Anil Joshi to court in the dual vote case, his car was fired upon on Sunday here with his gunmen also sitting inside.
After the last attack on him on May 10, a case was registered against 10 people, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor Prabhjit Singh Rataul. Around 7pm on Sunday, Mahajan was going from his house to his hotel with two Punjab Police armed escorts when his car came under fire in the Kashmir Avenue area.
One of the bullets hit the rear of the Toyota Innova that the lawyer himself was driving. On getting the information, deputy commissioner of police Bikram Pal Singh Bhatti moved to the spot with his team and recorded the statement of Mahajan.
The advocate claimed it to be a planned attack. “I will not name anyone because I did not see the attackers. But this is the third attack on my life this year. I request DGP (director general of police) Sumedh Saini and chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to form an SIT (special investigation team) and look into the matter personally,” said the lawyer.
He remembered that he had been on way to his hotel with his two gunmen. “Suddenly, we heard four to five gunshots, one of which hit the car. It was too dark to be sure but the attackers came on motorcycle most likely,” said Mahajan. Asked who could be behind this, he said” “Let the DGP and the CM find out.”
He said everybody knew who were against him, and though he didn’t know who was involved this time, the attacks would not scare him. DCP Bhatti; additional DCP (1) Parampal Singh, ADCP (special) Harjit Brar; and a battery of cops inspected the scene of crime and the car.
He remembered that he had been on way to his hotel with his two gunmen. “Suddenly, we heard four to five gunshots, one of which hit the car. It was too dark to be sure but the attackers came on motorcycle most likely,” said Mahajan. Asked who could be behind this, he said” “Let the DGP and the CM find out.”
He said everybody knew who were against him, and though he didn’t know who was involved this time, the attacks would not scare him. DCP Bhatti; additional DCP (1) Parampal Singh, ADCP (special) Harjit Brar; and a battery of cops inspected the scene of crime and the car.
Bhatti, later, told the media that investigation was on. Asked if the three attacks were linked, he said, “It is too early to say.”
In the police statement also, Mahajan didn’t name anyone, even though he demanded a detailed inquiry.
Past attacks
March 17: Shots were fired at the hotel of Vineet Mahajan when he was sitting there with colleague Sandeep Gorsi
May 10: Thrashed on the Court Road, Mahajan received severe injuries in the assault