Kolkata hit-and-run case: Police arrest Shanu from Delhi

Kolkata/New Delhi, Jan 18  A police team from Kolkata on Monday arrested one person from Delhi in connection with the sensational hit-and-run case in which an Indian Air Force corporal was mowed down while supervising the Republic Day parade rehearsal in the eastern metropolis last week.

"Shanu alias Shahnawaz was arrested from Delhi... We have sought transit remand and will be bringing him to Kolkata," Special Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Debasish Boral told IANS in Kolkata. This is the second arrest in the case after that of the prime accused, Shambia Sohrab, who was held in the West Bengal capital on Saturday

A Kolkata STF team arrested Shanu from his hideout at a relative's place in New Delhi's Alipur area on Sunday night, a Delhi Police officer told IANS, adding he will be produced at the Tis Hazari court after lunch to seek his transit remand.

Boral refused to spell out the specific charges against Shanu, but said: "He has been arrested as an accomplice."

He exuded confidence that Shanu's interrogation would throw more light on the incident which has been hogging the limelight nationally.

Shanu is a friend of the prime accused Shambia Sohrab, who was arrested on Saturday, four days after the January 13 incident on Indira Gandhi Sarani.

Breaking police barricades, Sambia, son of former Rashtriya Janata Dal legislator Mohammad Sohrab, is alleged to have knocked down 21-year-old Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud with his speeding sports utility vehicle. Gaud was taken to hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

Gaud hailed from Surat in Gujarat and was stationed at Kaliakunda air base. He was in the city as a drill instructor for the Republic Day Parade.

Shambia was sent to 14-day police remand on Sunday. The prosecution has alleged that Sambia - drunk when he took the steering of the car - had hit another soldier before ramming his car into Gaud.

The police have also issued a look-out notice for Sambia's father Mohammad Sohrab and brother Ambia and father who are still absconding.