Tank was murdered at Doda’s farmhouse, claim witnesses

Our Correspondent
Fazilka, February 7

Gurjant Singh alias Janta Lahoria, a victim and key witness in the Bhim Tank murder case, and his brother Ranjeet Singh Rana, another witness, on Thursday stuck to their statements and reportedly told the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge here today that Bhim Sain Tank was murdered at the farmhouse owned by liquor baron and former SAD halqa incharge Shiv Lal Doda in Ramsara village, 10 km from Abohar, on December 11, 2015. The trial continued till evening.

Earlier, the key witnesses had turned hostile by stating that the crime was committed in a tavern near the Doda’s farmhouse. But the witnesses today turned to their basic statement that was recorded by the police after the crime that “Tank was murdered at the farmhouse of Doda”.

The witnesses reportedly stated in the court that earlier they were under pressure and had changed their statement and the statement recorded today was correct.

The court has fixed the next date of hearing on February 14 and the statement of another key witness Akash would be recorded under the directions of the Supreme Court.

The accused had challenged permission to produce Akash as witness in the final phase of the trial. The High Court entertained the objections, but Bhim’s mother Kaushalya Devi filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court which directed the trial court to allow Akash to depose within a month of the next hearing.

Akali leader Doda and his nephew Amit were booked as conspirators in the case.