Cop killer sentenced to life behind bars

KEONJHAR: An alleged cop killer and extortionist was sentenced to life imprisonment by the additional district Judge (Fast Track) on Monday. A fine of Rs 25,000 was also imposed on him.
The convict, identified as Ashish Singh alias Nitesh Kumar Singh was involved in the murder of havildar David Kerketta of the Orissa State Arm Police. Two other accused in the case were released due to lack of evidence.ADJ Kashinath Rout, after hearing the case, passed the sentence, sending Ashish Singh to jail.
Government advocate Madhisudan Pati said Ashish was convicted under Sections 302 and 506 of the IPC.
Ashish was allegedly also involved in another case relating to an attempt to murder the then Champua MLA. The case is at present pending in the court. Ashutosh Singh, a resident of UP, who is the main accused in both the cases, is yet to be arrested.
Sources said Ashutosh Singh, Ashish Singh and several other criminals of a UP-based gang were involved in several extortion cases in Joda and Barbil mining areas. They allegedly extorted money from industrialists, businessman, mine owners and others of that area.
The matter came to the fore when a businessman from Barbil complained against the group to the police, who asked him to fix the date and time to deliver the money. The cops, in mufti, went with that man on his jeep to Kiriburu Chhak, about 3 km from Barbil PS. OSAP police force were also deployed near by area. On July 27, 2007, when the police arrived on the spot, the criminals fired at them. In the exchange of fire, a bullet hit havildar David Kerketta, critically wounding him on the head. In the counter fire, Ashish Singh sustained bullet wounds in his thigh and was arrested by the police. However, the others, along with Ashutosh Shukla, the kingpin of the gang, managed to flee.
David, who was taken to Cuttack medical college, died during treatment. Police had registered a murder case against Ashish and sent him to court after treatment. According to the police Ashish was also involved in the attempt to murder case of then MLA of Champua Dhanurjay Sidhu on February 26, 2007. The case is still pending in court.