Neha murder case: Cancel gun house licence, says DC

Tribune News Service

Ropar, July 11

Three months after murder of Neha Shoree, the in charge of zonal licencing authority of the Food and Drug Administration, Ropar Deputy Commissioner Sumeet Jarangal, has written to the Home Department for cancellation of licence of Vipan Gun House from where accused Balwinder Singh had purchased the weapon.

Jarangal in his recommendations sent to the Department of Home Affairs and Justice stated that the arms dealer had violated the norms by not informing the district administration about the sale of weapon to Balwinder Singh.

Neha was shot dead by Balwinder, who earlier ran a chemist shop at Morinda, on March 29 at her office in Kharar. After killing Neha he killed himself on the spot.

Relatives of the victim suspected the hand of the drug mafia in her killing. Earlier, the government formed a SIT headed by Ropar Range Inspector General of Police V Neeraja. Later, the investigation was handed over to Bureau of Investigation director Prabodh Kumar.

The Ropar DC was asked to probe how the accused was in possession of the weapon, which was supposed to be deposited with the local police due to implementation of the model code of conduct after declaration of the parliamentary elections on March 10.

According to procedure, once the weapon is purchased the arms dealer informs the district administration and an entry is made into the government records. All weapons with private persons are supposed to be deposited with gun houses or district police stations whenever model code of conduct is implemented due to elections. However, it was not done in this case.

While report of the SIT probing Shoree’s murder is yet to be finalised Jarangal in his recommendation to the Home Department stated that the dealer was bound to inform about the sale of weapon.

The dealer also knew that the model code of conduct was in force. Had the dealer informed about the sale of weapon to Balwinder Singh on March 12, the administration would have been able to get it deposited with the authorities concerned and this sordid murder might have been prevented.