Zira held for breaching Chief Minister’s security

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 27

Punjab Kisan Khet Mazdoor Cell chairman Inderjit Singh Zira, who along with his driver and another associate was booked for attempt to murder after they allegedly tried to drive their vehicle into Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's cavalcade, surrendered before the Chandigarh Police here today.

The case was registered against Zira, his driver Daljeet Singh and Akashdeep Singh after the incident that had occurred outside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on March 20. Zira had allegedly breached the Chief Minister's security by trying to stop his cavalcade, the police had claimed.

Guriqbal Singh Sidhu, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Central), said Zira was taken into custody after the verification of a report by doctors that he was medically fit for arrest.

The police claimed they had signalled Zira's car to stop, but the driver allegedly tried to run them over. The trio also allegedly assaulted policemen after they were stopped.

Zira's supporters, on the other hand, had alleged that the Congress leader was sitting during a protest against the Land Acquisition Bill when policemen started thrashing him and damaged his vehicle. While Daljeet and Akashdeep were arrested from the spot, Zira could not be arrested as he complained of chest pain and was admitted to the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16. He was later shifted to the PGI.

A case under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from performing duty), 34 and 353 of the IPC was registered against the trio at the Sector 3 police station.