Former district Panchayat member detained for plotting his own murder in Haridwar

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Haridwar

Haridwar police nabbed a former district Panchayat member for allegedly plotting his own murder to falsely implicate his rival in a land dispute. Six people, including the main accused Zakir, a resident of Ghodewala village, are now in custody, as per the officials. They informed that Zakir lodged a complaint at Bahadrabad police station on Sunday, claiming that his rival Javed, along with his father Yaqoob, Munfet and Junaid, had paid Rs 30 lakh to hire contract killers for his murder. He also named some youths from Jalalpur and Roorkee in his complaint.

Considering the seriousness of the allegations, the Haridwar senior superintendent of police Pramendra Dobal ordered an immediate investigation. The officials informed that the Bahadrabad police team, led by the station officer, began probing the case and found that the complaint was fabricated. Investigation revealed that Zakir had paid Rs 50,000 to three men, Azam, Usman and Sohail to fire shots at his car using his own licensed pistol. His aim was to falsely accuse his rival of attempting to have him killed and gain an advantage in an ongoing land dispute case.

The officials said that during interrogation, the accused contradicted each other’s statements and the entire plan was exposed. Police detained Zakir, his nephew Khalik and four others involved in the conspiracy. Zakir’s licensed pistol, whose renewal had expired, was also seized, as per the officials. Police have registered a case against Zakir and Khalik under sections 21 and 30 of the Arms Act. The authorities are processing the cancellation of his pistol license. The SSP stated that anyone attempting to falsely implicate others in criminal cases will face strict legal action. Those taken into custody include Zakir, Khalik, Azam, Usman, Sohail and Shajid.