The court complex was sealed as Punjab Police ensured a tight operation, three days after Bishnoi's failed video-conferencing appearance in a separate case involving Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
In a high-security operation, the police sealed the court complex as gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, along with shooters Monu Dagar and Jodhajit Singh, was brought from Bathinda jail for the framing of charges in an attempt to murder case. This move comes three days after the failed attempt to produce Bishnoi through video-conferencing in Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala's case, according to Hindustan Times.
Lawrence Bishnoi, known for his alleged involvement in various criminal activities, was transported to the Moga court in a bulletproof vehicle under tight security. Alongside him, Monu Dagar, currently lodged in Faridkot jail, and Jodhajit Singh were also presented before the court. The authorities took stringent measures, sealing the court complex until the proceedings concluded to ensure utmost security.
Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) J Elanchezhian explained that Bishnoi was brought to face charges registered against him at the city south police station. "After the proceedings, he was sent back to Bathinda jail. The next hearing is scheduled for July 17, and we will continue to closely monitor the case and present him in court as required. The two other co-accused were also brought before the court," SSP Elanchezhian stated.
According to the police, in December 2021, Lawrence Bishnoi allegedly accepted a contract to assassinate Jatinder Kumar, also known as Neela, who is the brother of Moga deputy mayor Ashok Dhamija. Acting on Bishnoi's instructions, Canada-based Goldy Brar sent shooters Jodhajit Singh and Monu Dagar, both of whom are also accused in the Sidhu Moose Wala case, to carry out the attack on Neela. However, due to a case of mistaken identity, they targeted Pratham Dhamija, believing him to be Jatinder due to their similar appearance. Fortunately, Pratham managed to escape as the assailant's firearm jammed, resulting in a single bullet grazing his foot. Sunil Dhamija, Pratham's father, also sustained injuries during the incident. Neela, a member of a rival gang to Bishnoi, faces multiple criminal cases.
Monu Dagar and Jodhajit Singh were subsequently apprehended and have been held in Faridkot jail. The Moga police questioned Bishnoi extensively for ten days in August 2022 regarding this case and subsequently filed a chargesheet against him.
It has been nine months since the Punjab Police filed a chargesheet in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case. However, the court has faced challenges in framing charges against all the accused as presenting them simultaneously via video-conferencing poses logistical difficulties. Despite the court's directive to present all the accused either physically or through video-conferencing, only 14 out of the 25 accused, currently incarcerated, have been presented in a Mansa court for the Moose Wala murder case. Notably, Lawrence Bishnoi and gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, among others, have not yet been produced in court. Since the chargesheet was filed, Bishnoi has appeared in court only once via video-conferencing out of the 28 hearings held thus far.