punjab

Updated: Jun 24, 2016 21:47 IST

A day after the arrest of Shiv Sena Punjab (Ghanauli group) youth wing leader Amit Arora for faking attack on himself to get security cover, the police on Friday nabbed another Sena leader for orchestrating attack on himself.

The police arrested national president of the Shiv Sena Yuva Morcha RD Puri and his two accomplices Mani Seera and Anurag Pandit. Allegedly confessing to the crime, Puri told the police that he faked attack on himself to get security cover and public attention. The police also booked his aide Samar D’Souza and an unidentified man, and hunt has been launched to arrest them.

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Additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP, crime) Balkar Singh said the police registered a first information report (FIR) on June 4, 2013, following Puri’s statement that unidentified an assailant opened fire at his office in Kashmir Nagar with an intention to kill him. A case under Sections 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 25 of the Arms Act was registered against the unidentified accused, the ADCP said.

RD Puri allegedly told the police that he faked the attack on himself to get security cover and publicity. (Photo: Facebook)

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The ADCP said following a tip-off, the police nabbed Puri’s close aide Anurag Pandit who spilled the beans and admitted that the attack on Puri was orchestrated. Anurag said he, along with Puri, Mani Seera, D’Souza and his unidentified friend planned the conspiracy. Puri promised D’Souza’s friend Rs 3 lakh, an LIG flat on Chandigarh Road, besides Rs 10,000 per month if he attacked him.

According to their plan, D’Souza’s friend opened fire at Puri’s office and fled after which the government provided security to Puri.

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Sources said the assailant informed the police about the fake attack around a year ago, but the cops failed to act. The assailant approached the police as Puri had failed to keep his promise. Puri also threatened him with dire consequences, said sources.

This is third such incident involving a Sena leader. Earlier this year, Jalandhar-based Shiv Sena (Hindustan) leader Deepak Kamboj was arrested for orchestrating an attack on himself. Kamboj allegedly made his two aides shoot him in the leg on February 16.

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