Prof's killing: Witnesses' statement recorded

Ujjain, MP, Apr 28 (UNI) A local court today recorded the statements of some policemen present during the murder of Professor H S Sabharwal during student union election in Madhav college here on August 26, 2006.

City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Manoj Singh told District and Session Judge A K Sharma's court that his duty was at gate no 1 and he had no information of what happened at gate no 2.

He said he had earlier been informed that Prof Nath had died.

When he went to confirm about it in the college premises, he learnt that Prof Sabharwal had died.

Mr Singh said the Congress' 'Jail Bharo Andolan' was on the same day and a temporary jail had been made nearby the college. Adequate police force were deployed in this view.

When the Congress' rally was crossing the area, some NSUI students, who didn't want the election, entered the college premises and went on rampage. They were driven out of the college with the help of police.

After the NSUI students left, ABVP workers, who had been given time earlier for meeting with the college administration, were sent inside. However, they were agitated when they were informed that the students union elections had been postponed and were sent outside the college from gate no 2.

In his statement, Ujjain's Dewasgate Station House Officer Yashwant Runwal said his duty was near the Principal's room. On the basis of information about Prof Sabharwal's death at gate no 2 near Dewasgate square, a complaint was lodged.

CID SP Bhanu Ajnar, who had recorded statements of people related with the incident, informed the court about the statements.

In his statement, Station House Officer Ghanshyam Bamnia said the accused were arrested and taken on remand after the incident and peon Nawal Kishore's statement was recorded.

Constable Dipesh Yadav had seized Prof Sabharwal's scooter after his death.

A local cameraman also recorded his statement.

Public Prosecutor Vikram Singh Sikarwar said 48 witnesses had recorded their statements so far, while three more witnesses have to record their statements. The next hearing will take place on May 10.

Prof Sabharwal died on August 26, 2006, when he was attacked by students irked over postponement of students union polls of Madhav College.

UNI