Rohtak: A Rohtak court on Wednesday convicted former INLD MLA Balbir Singh alias Bali Pehalwan and six others in the 2011 murder of Vishnu at Kalanaur grain market. Arguments on the quantum of sentence will be heard on Thursday.Additional district and sessions judge Kapil Rathi pronounced the verdict in the 15-year-old case.Vishnu, a resident of Nigana village, was shot dead on May 6, 2011, during a clash between two groups at the grain market. Several others were injured. Police had registered a case at Kalanaur police station on the complaint of Vishnu’s brother-in-law Sitaram Rathi, naming 18 people and invoking charges including murder, attempt to murder, rioting, criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Arms Act.The dispute was reportedly linked to a confrontation involving associates of Bali Pehalwan. One account said they had gone to the market to collect animal fodder or donations, while another alleged they had demanded Rs 5 lakh as protection money. The confrontation escalated into a fight and firing, in which Vishnu was fatally injured.The case had attracted attention after residents of Pehalwan’s village, Mokhra, allegedly obstructed police when they went to arrest him. Supporters gathered to prevent his arrest, with some women reportedly seen carrying firearms. Pehalwan eventually surrendered on May 27, 2011. He later spent about seven years in jail before securing bail.Two of the 18 accused died during the trial, while two others were acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence. The prosecution examined 51 witnesses, including injured eyewitnesses, police officials and the doctor who conducted Vishnu’s postmortem.Pehalwan is a two-time INLD MLA from Meham assembly constituency.
