Ponty Chadha killing: HC denies bail to accused

Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to grant bail to Narender Ahlawat who is allegedly involved in the killing of liquor baron Ponty Chadha and his brother Hardeep.

Justice P.S. Teji denied bail to Ahlawat saying there were serious allegations against him and there was apprehension that he might try to influence prosecution witnesses, if granted bail.

Ahlawat, who worked for Ponty Chadha as a manager, had sought bail on medical ground.

Refusing to release him on bail, the court said Ahlawat can get the medical treatment in judicial custody as opined by the medical board of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and "there is no requirement to release him on bail to get medical treatment outside".

"He has been charge-sheeted for hatching a criminal conspiracy and committing the murder apart from committing other offences. There are serious allegations against him and there is apprehension of influencing prosecution witnesses," said the court.

The police had opposed his bail plea.

Ponty Chadha and his brother were killed at a farmhouse in Chhatarpur in Delhi in a shootout on November 17, 2012, allegedly over a property dispute.

Delhi Police had filed two charge sheets in the case and levelled murder charges against 21 accused. Ponty and Hardeep were also charge sheeted in the case, but the trial against the brothers has been abated as they both died in the shootout.

--IANS

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