HC reserves order on Doda's bail plea

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the anticipatory bail plea of SAD leader and liquor contractor Shiv Lal Doda, who is prime accused in the killing of a dalit youth in Abohar. When the matter came up for hearing before the HC on Tuesday, Doda's counsel claimed his innocence and stated his client would join investigations, if the relief of anticipatory bail was granted to him.
Strongly objecting the plea, counsel for the complainants, senior advocate Anupam Gupta argued that brutality of the crime dis-entitled relief to Doda and if any relief was granted, the entire system would be subverted.
Gupta vehemently argued that several instances like occurrence of incident at Doda's palatial farmhouse, where no one could dare to enter without permission, and close association of attackers with him proved his direct linkage with the incident.
Gupta also said that an examination of call record of the then station house officer (SHO) of the area Harinder Singh Chameli, who used to stay at the farmhouse for a long time, could also reveal Doda's influence and high contacts. The counsel also submitted that one of the main attackers, Harpreet Singh alias Harry, had also spoken to Doda before the incident.
Pointing towards the parents of deceased, Bhim Tank, who were present in the courtroom, advocate Gupta submitted that if Doda was granted bail, combination of power and money would demoralize poor people. Referring to Doda's pictures with Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal and deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Gupta submitted that it proved the accused's influence in the government and injustice would be done to the poor family, if he was granted any relief in the case.
Doda, who is evading arrest for a long time, had approached the high court after a Fazilka court had dismissed his anticipatory bail plea on January 4.