Ludhiana: Shakti Pandey, a resident of Fauji Colony, who survived a firing incident near his house late on Monday evening, alleged that the attack took place despite his prior complaint to the Moti Nagar police about threats from the accused.
Pandey claimed to have informed the police in writing that the accused had been threatening him, moving around his house and shop, and issuing threats through social media. He claimed that no action was taken even after he approached the police, after which assailants fired gunshots at him, leaving him injured.
Contradicting the allegation, police maintained that Pandey had only filed a verbal complaint, that too on Monday evening. They added that within minutes of returning home after making the verbal complaint, he was attacked.
Moti Nagar police have registered a case of attempt to murder against four persons — Bittu, Ramu, Golu and Abhishek.
Police said Pandey, who is also president of the Fauji Colony Welfare Association, was standing in the street near his house when the four men approached him. One of them pulled out a gun and fired at him. Police said the bullet brushed past Pandey, causing him to fall. He was taken to hospital, where his condition is stated to be stable.
The incident follows a video Pandey uploaded on his Facebook account on Feb 22. In the video, he accused Bittu Rajput and his aides of threatening to kill him. Maintaining that the accused were involved in drug peddling in Fauji Colony, he said they bore a grudge against him because of his active work against the drug menace.
In the video, Pandey is seen alleging that he filed a complaint with the Moti Nagar police but no action was taken. Towards the end of the video, he dared the accused to harm him.
Assistant commissioner of police (ADCP, Industrial Area A), Inderjit Singh Boparai, said a case has been registered against Golu, Ramu, Bittu and Abhishek for bid to murder Pandey.
He stated that the accused, who are notorious, have been involved in scuffles in the past. They earlier lived in Fauji Colony but later shifted to another area. He also said that there is an old rivalry between the accused and the victim.
When asked about the allegation of police inaction, ACP Boparai said, "As per my knowledge, Shakti Pandey visited the police station on Monday and verbally complained against the accused for threatening him. Minutes after returning from the police station, he was attacked. Police will arrest the accused soon."
Police deny allegation
--Fauji Colony resident Shakti Pandey alleges police inaction despite previous complaint against accused who threatened him
--Pandey claims the accused made rounds outside his house and shop and issued threats via social media
--He was shot at by four assailants near his house on Monday late evening; bullet brushed past him
--Police counter that Pandey had given only a verbal complaint, including one made on Monday evening
--Attempt bid case registered against accused Bittu, Ramu, Golu and Abhishek
--Pandey, president of Fauji Colony Welfare Association, is stable
--On Feb 22, Pandey posted a Facebook video alleging death threats and accusing the men of drug peddling
--Video also shows him claiming no action was taken by Moti Nagar police and challenging the accused
Blurb:
ACP Inderjit Singh Boparai says the accused are notorious, involved in past scuffles, and share old rivalry with Pandey. He added that Pandey verbally complained minutes before attack. Police assured that the accused would be arrested soon.
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