As part of its investigation into the escape of gangster Deepak Tinu from the CIA custody in Mansa last month, the special investigating team (SIT) said it had arrested the “mastermind who managed to get Tinu out of custody”. After Tinu escaped from Mansa, the SIT arrested his brother for facilitating his escape and arranging his travel.
Assisting mediapersons here, IG, Patiala Range, MS Chhina, who is heading the SIT probing the case, revealed that Tinu’s brother, Chirag, had picked up Tinu from the residence of dismissed cop Pritpal Singh in a dark blue Santro car. The two of them went to Gogamedi in Rajasthan with Deepak’s girlfriend, Jyoti.
They were taken to various hideouts from there. The arrest of Chirag took place today. A 0.32 bore pistol and the car used in the crime have been recovered. Three more suspects, who helped the accused, have also been arrested by the SIT. “We will present a chargesheet in court at the earliest opportunity,” said Chhina.
He escaped from the custody of the Mansa police on October 1 after being accused of murdering Sidhu Moosewala. Ajmer Police later arrested him on October 19. As a result of Tinu’s interrogation, some accused were later arrested by the Delhi Police.
He was placed on a transit remand by the Punjab Police after his police remand with the Delhi Police ended, and he was placed in police custody by the Mansa court. After that, SIT members interrogated him at CIA, Patiala.
So far, nine suspects have been arrested in the case, while seven weapons and four vehicles used in the crime have been seized.
As of now, the arrestees include Mansa Pritpal Singh, Jatinder Kaur Jyoti, Kuldeep Singh, Rajvir Singh, Rajinder Singh, Sarabjot Singh, Bittu, Deepak and Chirag.
Pritpal Singh, the CIA in-charge at Mansa, took Tinu to his residence alone on October 1 to facilitate a private meeting between Tinu and his girlfriend. After Tinu escaped from police custody, Pritpal Singh was dismissed and arrested.
