New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday declined to hear a petition filed by suspected incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, accused in the murder of Punjabi musician and Congress politician Sidhu Moose Wala, seeking a directive to the jail officials not to hand over his custody to Punjab police, according to a court source, news agency PTI reported.
According to Special Judge Praveen Singh, there was no reason for the accused to file the application before the court.
The application requested that the Tihar jail officials notify the court in advance of any production warrant issued by the Punjab or any other state police against Bishnoi, and that he not be taken into custody by any other state police.
It was said that the accused was afraid of a staged encounter by the Punjab police because of political rivalry.
The offender is being tried for the crime under the strict MCOC (Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime) Act in this court.
According to the application, any state police officer might probe any matter pending against him in the Tihar prison without obtaining his physical custody, or he could be shown to any other court via video conference.
"In case his production warrant was allowed then the counsels for the accused be informed and his custody be given with a condition of proper security arrangements as the accused shall be handcuffed and shackled and ensure all necessary safeguards during transit and on production warrant and also ensure to that adequate arrangements while producing the applicant to any other court outside of the Delhi," it said.
The assassination of popular musician Sidhu Moosewala appeared to be the consequence of an inter-gang conflict, according to Punjab Police, who stated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was involved.
Unidentified assassins shot and killed Moose Wala on Sunday in Punjab's Mansa district, a day after the state government reduced his security cover.
(With Inputs From PTI)