Amid midnight drama, SAD councillor booked under Gambling Act

SAD councillor from ward 56 in Amritsar, Surinder Kumar alias Vicky Councillor, was arrested and booked under the Gambling Act along with six others on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.

High drama unfolded after a police party raided Vicky's house. While Vicky allegedly locked himself in a room, three other accused present there were arrested. It was over two hours before Vicky finally came out and was arrested. They were later granted bail.

The police claimed to have recovered over Rs 11 lakh in cash, playing cards and 10 cases of liquors from Vicky's house. The raid party included Amritsar ADCP K S Gill and ACP (Centre) Harjit Singh.

"Vicky had installed CCTV cameras outside his house to watch the movement of police. Swift action by the police today, however, gave him no time to escape," said a police officer. Five cases, including a case of attempt to murder and three cases under Gambling Act, are pending against Vicky since 1995 in various police stations.

Vicky, when contacted, alleged that he had an "altercation" with ACP Harjit Singh a few days ago and the case against him was "motivated". "I had gone to plead the case of an innocent youth and ACP Harjit Singh demanded Rs 2 lakh from me, over which, there was an altercation. The police brought the liquor from outside. Those who have been booked along with me were brought from outside," Vicky said. However, minutes later he told The Indian Express: "ACP Harjit Singh had already taken Rs 15 lakh — the setting amount — before ADCP K S Gill arrived and police took Rs 11.34 lakh... The ACP said that he will frame me in a gambling case come what may."

ACP Harjit Singh, however, denied the allegations. "I have not seen Rs 15 lakh in my life. Vicky is free to level any kind of allegations against me."

... contd.

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