Kolkata hit-and-run case: Another man held in Delhi

Kolkata/New Delhi, Jan 18: A police team from Kolkata has arrested a man in Delhi in connection with the hit-and-run case in which an IAF corporal was mowed down while supervising the Republic Day parade rehearsal in the eastern metropolis last week.

"Shanu alias Shahnawaz was arrested from Delhi... We have sought transit remand and will be bringing him to Kolkata," Special Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Debasish Boral said in Kolkata.

This is the second arrest in the case after that of the prime accused, Sambia Sohrab, who was held in the West Bengal capital on Saturday.

Shanu was presented before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pooran Chand, who remanded him to two days transit remand.

The court directed Kolkata Police to produce Shanu before a magisterial court there on January 20.

A Kolkata STF team arrested Shanu from his hideout at a relative's place in New Delhi's Alipur area on Sunday night, a Delhi Police officer said.

Boral refused to spell out the specific charges against Shanu, but said: "He has been arrested as an accomplice."

He exuded confidence that Shanu's interrogation would throw more light on the incident.

Shanu is a friend of prime accused Sambia Sohrab, who was arrested on Saturday, four days after the January 13 incident on Indira Gandhi Sarani road.

Breaking police barricades, Sambia, son of former Rashtriya Janata Dal legislator Mohammad Sohrab, is alleged to have knocked down 21-year-old Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud with his speeding sports utility vehicle.

Gaud was taken to hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. He hailed from Surat in Gujarat and was stationed at Kaliakunda air base. He was in the city as a drill instructor for the Republic Day Parade.

Sambia was sent to 14-day police remand on Sunday. The prosecution has alleged that Sambia - drunk when he took the steering of the car - had hit another soldier before ramming his car into Gaud.

Police have also issued a look-out notice for Sambia's father Mohammad Sohrab and brother Ambia who are absconding.

IANS