SAD leader Shiv Lal Doda, accused of dalit murder, surrenders in Fazilka

FEROZEPUR: Shiv Lal Doda, a liquor contractor and leader of ruling Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) who was absconding after murder of a dalit youth today surrendered before Fazilka police after Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed his bail application.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal however has denied that Doda had any links with SAD. The local sources however said that Doda was close to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and his liqour trade was flourishing under the patronage of SAD.
Earlier Amit Doda nephew of Shiv Lal Doda had surrendered before police after his bail was rejected by the court. A Dalit youth Bhim Tank was brutually murdered at the farm house of Doda where about a dozen accused including Doda and his nephew chopped off the limbs of Bhim and one of his friend Gurjant Singh Janta. Bhim died in the hospital while his friend survived.
Janta told police that Amit Doda called Bhim to farm house in Abohar and Bhim too him(Janta) along with him. Soon after they reached farm house about 20 people attacked them and chopped the arms and legs of Bhim. They also cut the arms of Janta. He is now admitted in the hospital.
Punjab Police was reluctant to register case against Shiv Lal Doda and his nephew but was forced to register the case after residents of Fazilka shut down the markets and held protests.