Three arrested in wine contractor murder case

A team of special task force (STF) from Ambala has arrested three accused in connection with the murder case of wine contractor Shantanu, who was shot dead in Shahabad on June 13.

The accused were identified as Baljinder Singh, a resident of Ambala, Shubham Khurana, a resident of Shahabad, Kurukshetra, and Sujal, a resident of Karnal.

While Sujal was one of the two shooters involved in firing, Baljinder and Shubham were arrested for doing a recce. They were produced before a court in Shahabad which sent them to a six-day police remand.

STF Ambala unit in-charge Prateek Kumar said, “The court has granted a six-day police remand of the accused for further investigation. During investigation we will obtain information about other people involved in this murder case. The weapon used in the crime will be recovered during remand. All efforts are being made to arrest the second shooter in this case.”

Aman Kumar, DSP, Ambala STF, said, “The Ambala unit led by its in-charge Prateek Kumar has arrested three accused. One of the two shooters identified as Sujal, and other two accused identified as Baljinder and Shubham, who did recce, have been arrested. Some people from jail are also involved in planning and providing support in this murder case. The motive behind murder will be found and the gang for which accused have been working will be identified during remand.”

“An accused Rajan, who was lodged in Yamunanagar jail, has already been brought on production warrant from prison, for his involvement in the case. He is on police remand for further investigation. Involvement of some more people from the Shahabad area has come to our notice. Every person, who is involved in the murder, will be arrested soon. Some dispute in liquor business can be the cause of murder. However, the exact reason will be known during remand of the accused,” he said.

As per the STF, Baljinder already had two cases of Excise Act registered against him in Ambala and Yamunanagar. An attempt to murder case was already registered against Shubham Khurana in Yamunanagar. The STF was probing criminal background of Sujal.

In late evening of June 13, Shantanu, a resident of Jhajjar, was shot dead near Mina Market along National Highway in Shahabad. The victim was a wine contractor in Shahabad.

Before the incident, Shantanu along with his car driver Prince and Shahabad liquor vend area in-charge Aniket went near Mina Market. The victim asked Prince to stop the car and went out to buy cigarettes. Meanwhile, two youths arrived there on a two-wheeler and opened fire at Shantanu. After the incident, the accused managed to flee from the spot. Shantanu was rushed to a private hospital, where he was declared brought dead by doctors. A case was registered at the Shahabad police station in this connection.

Haryana Tribune