Abohar: Doda seeks bail, Dalits protest against police ‘failure’

Absconding Shiv Lal Doda, the main accused in murder of a 27-year-old Dalit man in Abohar, has filed a bail application in local court in Fazilka, police said on Tuesday.

Shops and commercial establishments remained closed in Abohar, Malout and other parts of Fazilka here following the bandh call given by ‘Bhim Tank Katal Kand Sangharsh Committee’ against the “shoddy” investigation by the Punjab police and its “failure” to nab Doda.

“He (Shiv Lal Doda), though his lawyer, has applied for anticipatory bail (in Abohar murder case) with the court in Fazilka,” DIG Ferozepur Range, Amar Singh Chahal said today.

The court has issued notice for December 24, the DIG said.

Despite police raids at Doda’s possible hideouts in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, the liquor baron and Akali leader continued to remain at large.

“We have been making efforts to nab him” said the DIG Chahal, who also ruled out the possibility of Doda leaving the country.

Doda’s nephew Amit Doda had already surrendered before the police.