Accused in Bitta's attempted murder case found prima facie guilty

New Delhi, Sep 23 (UNI) A city court today framed charges against the accused in the case relating to attempted murder of All India Anti-Terrorist Front Chairman Maninder Singh Bitta.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sukhwinder Kaur, after hearing the argument of the prosecution and the defence, framed the charges against Harnek Singh for planning a bid on then All India Youth Congress president Bitta's life.

On September 11, 1993, an RDX-laden car exploded near Mr Bitta's car, in which he lost his leg, besides being severely injured. The incident also claimed about 15 lives and left eight others wounded.

The police registered a case against six accused under sections 120 B, 302, 307, 323, 324, 326 of the IPC along with sections 3, 4, 5 of now-repealed TADA.

One of the accused, Devender Pal Singh, was awarded the death penalty and his application seeking clemency is pending before President A P J Abdul Kalam.

While co-accused Daya Singh Lahoria was acquitted by the Supreme Court, Navneet Singh Kadia, another accused, was gunned down in an encounter with the police at Jaipur in Rajasthan.

One more accused, Kuldip Singh Keepa, is at large.

Baldev Singh, another accused, was discharged for want of evidence against him.

Meanwhile, the case was adjourned till December 7.

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