Gosain killing: 2 shooters get 5-day NIA remand

LUDHIANA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has produced both shooters — Hardeep Singh alias Shera and Ramandeep Singh — accused in targeted killings before the court in

Mohali

. The court had sent both the accused to five-day NIA remand. According to a NIA official, other accused Jagtar Singh Johal and Jimmy Singh would also be taken on remand.

In the recent incidents of killings in Punjab, various right wing and religious leaders have been killed. The state police and government had pointed at radicals, ISI and UK-based extremists behind this. Following six such killings in the state in past two years, seventh was the killing of RSS leader Ravinder Gosain. Gosain was shot dead outside his house in Gagandeep colony of Jodhewal area on October 17 by two motorcycle-borne assailants.

Chief minister Amarinder Singh transferred the case to NIA. However, few days ago the Punjab police claimed to have solved the case and arrested UK nationals Jimmy Singh, Jagtar Jaggi and two shooters Ramandeep Singh and Hardeep Singh alias Shera.

Ten days ago, the NIA team landed in Ludhiana to take over the case. Meanwhile, the four arrested accused have been taken to Ludhiana on production warrant and are in police remand.

Speaking to TOI over phone, the NIA official Alok

Mittal

said, “For us it’s important to question shooters Hardeep and Ramandeep thoroughly as they have executed the crime. Earlier, they were on police remand. However, on Wednesday evening they were produced before the NIA court in Mohali where they have been sent to five-day NIA remand.” The official further said that the NIA will also take them to Delhi for proper questioning.

When asked whether they would take the other accused Jagtar Singh Johal and Jimmy Singh also on remand, Mittal said that after Shera and Ramandeep, other accused would also be taken on remand.