Deepak Tinu, a key suspect in the murder of Punjabi musician and Congressman Sidhu Moosewala, escaped from custody in the Mansa district on Sunday, according to police. Tinu is an associate of jailed mobster Lawrence Bishnoi.
When Tinu was being transported in a private vehicle from Kapurthala Jail to Mansa on remand on Saturday night, they claimed he was able to elude Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) agents. “When Tinu escaped from detention, he was being transported to Mansa’s CIA staff headquarters from Kapurthala Jail. Investigations into the suspects were necessary in relation to the Moosewala murder case “Police in Mansa claimed.
The police have teams searching for Tinu, according to M S Chinna, IG of Bhatinda, and no police officers will be spared if they are discovered to have assisted in his escape.
Shehzad Poonawalla, a BJP lawmaker, criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his administration on Sunday for allegedly being too soft on crime.
“AAP’s VVIP netas were protected by a 42-car convoy for proxy CM Bhagwant Mann, but Deepak Tinu, a key figure in the Moosewala murder plot, escaped from Punjab police custody! AAP is assisting gangs rather than enforcing a crackdown on them! Do we require further evidence?” Tweeted Poonawalla.
Moosewala, 28, was shot dead on May 29 by unidentified assailants in Mansa, a day after the state government curtailed his security cover. The Punjabi singer was shot at point-blank range and was declared brought dead on arrival at the Mansa civil hospital.
The killers fired over 30 rounds at Moosewala, who was found slumped in the driver’s seat by locals.
The investigation suggested Lawrence Bishnoi was the mastermind of the daylight killing. His close aide Goldy Brar, who is said to be based in Canada, is also under investigation in this case. Police have issued a Red Corner Notice against Brar through Interpol.
Moosewala had fought an election from Mansa in the last assembly election on a Congress ticket but was defeated by AAP’s Vijay Singla.