Just about a month after the Abohar killing of a Dalit, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and liquor contractor Shiv lal Doda.
Refusing the plea for anticipatory bail by the liquor baron, Justice MMS Bedi said that the investigation was at a very early stage and the accused as of now could not be granted relief of stay on custodial interrogation.
An accused in the murder case of Bhim Tank, Doda had filed a petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking anticipatory bail. He had alleged implication in the case registered on December 12 last year for murder, attempt to murder and other offences.
Contesting the plea, the counsel for the complainant said the accused did not deserve the relief of bail. He submitted that Doda was a powerful and a well-connected person and entire incident had taken place at his farm house. Doda had come to the High Court after his anticipatory bail was dismissed from a Fazilka court.
A young man Bhim Tank was allegedly killed in Doda’s farm house in Ramsara village near Abohar on December 11 last year. Bhim and Gurjant Singh, alias Janta, were allegedly attacked by Doda’s henchmen on December 11. The police have so far arrested 22 accused in the case.