Abohar murder case: Shiv Lal Doda seeks bail, Dalits protest against police 'failure'

Fazilka: Absconding Shiv Lal Doda, the main accused in murder of a 27-year-old Dalit man in Abohar, has filed a bail application in local court in Fazilka, police said on Tuesday.

Shops and commercial establishments remained closed in Abohar, Malout and other parts of Fazilka here following the bandh call given by 'Bhim Tank Katal Kand Sangharsh Committee' against the "shoddy" investigation by the Punjab police and its "failure" to nab Doda.

"He (Shiv Lal Doda), though his lawyer, has applied for anticipatory bail (in Abohar murder case) with the court in Fazilka," DIG Ferozepur Range, Amar Singh Chahal said today.

The court has issued notice for December 24, the DIG said.

Despite police raids at Doda's possible hideouts in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, the liquor baron and Akali leader continued to remain at large.

"We have been making efforts to nab him" said the DIG Chahal, who also ruled out the possibility of Doda leaving the country.

Doda's nephew Amit Doda had already surrendered before the police.

Doda has been booked for conspiracy in connection with the murder of 27-year-old Dalit Bhim Sain whose limbs were chopped off at a farmhouse in Abohar on December 11.

The police had already sent the CCTV footage recovered from the farmhouse for forensic examination. The police has also submitted its action-taken report to state commission for Scheduled Castes.

Meanwhile, shops, markets and commercial establishments remained closed in Abohar, Malout and other parts of Fazilka.

'Bhim Tank Katal Kand Sangharsh Committee' had given a bandh call in protest against the "shoddy" investigation by the Punjab police in the murder of Bhim Sain.

Protesters also held 'Chakka Jam' at bus stand and Rani Jhansi market in Abohar, blocking road traffic. They also raised slogans against the state government for its "failure" in nabbing the main accused Shiv Lal Doda.

"There was a complete bandh in Fazilka, Abohar and Malout areas," claimed Congress leader and Abohar MLA Sunil Jakhar.

The committee was demanding CBI inquiry, besides government job and Rs 1 crore compensation each to the family members of both Bhim and Gurjant Singh Janta.

Protesters are also demanded suspension of SSP Fazilka for "poor" investigation by the police.

Committee convener Gopichand said, "tomorrow, we will gherao the office of SSP Fazilka."