ASI shoots youth in thigh at Dera Bassi

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 26

After being challenged by youths, who refused to allow the police to search a woman’s bag at a check post at Habetpur village in Dera Bassi, the police shot at one of the youth in the thigh in “self-defence” this evening.

The bullet pierced through the thigh of Hitesh Nell. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital but the doctors referred him to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh.

Hitesh, his sister and brother-in-law alleged that the police opened fire at the victim in a fit of rage.

Hitesh alleged that his brother-in-law and sister were standing on the Hebatpur road when a police party arrived there and misbehaved with them. The police wanted to check the bag of his sister. Fearing the police could implicate them in a false case, his sister called him to the spot. He, along with his other sister, reached the spot. His two sisters were also attacked by the police. The police officer, who opened fire at him, was in an inebriated state, alleged Hitesh.

The police said the incident occurred at 10:45 pm when the Mubarikpur police post in-charge, ASI Balwinder Singh, was manning the check post at Habetpur. The police team stopped a couple riding a motorcycle and asked them to get their bag checked. They started hurling abuses and refused to get the bag checked.

Balwinder said the man called his friends, including Hitesh, and they gheraoed the police party. They attacked the police with sticks and bricks. They tried to save their lives by running away but the group chased them and also damaged the police vehicle.

Balwinder said fearing that the assailants could harm them, he fired a shot into the air to scare them off, but they still charged towards them. He fired another shot at the main accused below the waist in self-defence.

However, the woman, who was riding pillion on the motorcycle, alleged that the police were not taking them as husband and wife, and were claiming that they were lovers roaming late at night. She said they got scared that the police could implicate them in a false case, and they started arguing with the police. Soon, they called their relatives for their protection. But the police shot our relative and injured him. The police tried to kill him, she alleged.

SSP Vivek Sheel Soni, while denying the allegations, said the matter was being verified. He added the police opened fire in self-defence. A police officer was also injured. Action would be taken after investigation, said Soni.

The trigger

Hitesh alleged that his brother-in-law and sister were standing on the Hebatpur road when a police party arrived there and misbehaved with them. The police wanted to check the bag of his sister. Fearing the police could implicate them in a false case, his sister called him to the spot. He, along with his other sister, reached the spot.

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