SC notice to Gopal Kanda, brother in assault case

The Supreme Court Thursday issued notice to former Haryana minister Gopal Goyal Kanda and his brother Govind Kanda for allegedly beating up an INLD activist in April 2010.

An apex court bench headed by Justice P. Sathasivam issued the notice on a plea by Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) activist Pradeep Godara alleging that since Gopal Goyal Kanda was Haryana's minister of state for home at the time, the police had not registered a case against him and his brother.

Appearing for Pradeep Godara, counsel G.K. Sharma said that assault by the Kanda brothers amounted to attempt to murder and causing grievous injuries.

The petitioner had earlier moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking directions to the police to register an FIR (First Information Report).

However, the high court had directed the petitioner to move the magistrate's court for the same.

The apex court notice comes even as Delhi Police is raiding the houses and offices of Gopal Goyal Kanda in connection with the suicide of his former employee Geetika Sharma in New Delhi Aug 5. She had named Kanda and his associate Aruna Chaddha in her suicide note.

Chaddha was arrested Wednesday while Kanda is absconding.