A sessions court in Indore (Madhya Pradesh) has issued an arrest warrant against local businessman Akshay Kanti Bam and his father in connection with a 17-year-old attempted murder case. Bam recently made headlines for withdrawing his nomination from the Indore Lok Sabha seat as a Congress candidate and subsequently joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Personal appearance before Court
Public prosecutor Abhijit Singh Rathore informed reporters that Bam and his father were required to appear before the sessions court regarding the alleged attempted murder case. However, their lawyer submitted an application seeking exemption from personal appearance for his clients. Rathore explained that, as per the application, Bam was out of town for “essential work”, while Bam’s father was advised rest by doctors due to poor health.
The sessions court rejected the application from the father-son duo and issued an arrest warrant against them. The court ordered the police to arrest them and present them before the court by July 8. Rathore noted that the court observed that both accused failed to appear before it despite being ordered to do so on Friday, and they were not currently on bail in the case under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Anticipatory Bail Denied
Earlier, on May 3, a sessions court had denied anticipatory bail to Bam and his father in the alleged attempted murder case. On April 24, a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) from Indore had directed the addition of section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC in the FIR filed against Bam and his father for allegedly assaulting Yunus Patel over a land dispute 17 years ago. The court also instructed the father-son duo to appear before the sessions court on May 10.
Shortly after the court’s order, Bam withdrew his candidature as the Congress nominee from the Indore Lok Sabha seat. Bam was nominated as the Congress candidate for the Indore Lok Sabha seat on March 23.
Charges against them
Police officials stated that an FIR was lodged against Bam, his father Kantilal, and others for allegedly attacking Yunus Patel over a land dispute on October 4, 2007. The FIR included charges under sections 294 (abusive speech), 323 (assault), 506 (criminal intimidation), and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Patel claimed that during the incident, Satvir Singh, a security agency operator, fired at him with a 12 bore gun at the behest of Akshay’s father Kantilal. Satvir Singh later died, while two other accused in the case, Sohan alias Sonu and Manoj, remain fugitives.
