Chandigarh, Mar 9 (PTI): One of the key accused in the drug haul case from Zirakpur allegedly attempted suicide, even as Punjab Police maintained that no decision has been taken yet on summoning boxer Vijender Singh after the Olympic medallist's name cropped up.

"The key accused Anup Singh Kahlon attempted suicide. He took out a wire from the bucket used for bathing and tried to slit his wrist with it, but he is out of danger," Fatehgarh Sahib's Senior Superintendent of Police, H S Mann said today.

The accused was safe and provided medical aid, the SSP said, adding that no major
injury was sustained in the suicide attempt.

Kahlon, an NRI, would now be booked for attempt to suicide.
Asked if Vijender Singh, who hails from Haryana's Bhiwani district, would be questioned, the SSP told PTI, "we haven't taken any final decision on summoning him."

He said investigation in the case was under progress as the six accused arrested so far were being interrogated. Based on their revelations further course of action would be decided, the SSP said.

"We are investigating the case. As of now, no decision on Vijender Singh has been taken. All aspects of the case are being investigated. We have not decided on calling him yet," he said.

However, police are probing the role of Vijender's fellow pugilist Ram Singh, he said, adding that Ram had been asked to help the investigators again today.

Asked about reports that Ram, a native of Patiala, purportedly confessed that he had taken heroin at least six times from the arrested peddlers and consumed it with Vijender, the SSP said, "we are verifying these. I cannot comment further at this stage."

Vijender, 27, a Haryana Police DSP rank officer, has trashed allegations that he has links with the alleged NRI drug dealer arrested by the Punjab Police, saying the "ridiculous charges" would be proved wrong in investigations.

Police had recovered 26 kg of heroin, estimated around Rs Rs 130 crore, from Kahlon's house in Shivalik Vihar in Zirakpur on the city outskirts in Mohali district on Thursday. The car of Vijender's wife Archana was found by police near the NRI's house.

Haryana DGP S N Vashisht told reporters that they were in touch with their Punjab counterparts after the boxer's name cropped up in the case.

"We will decide on further course of action once we get complete details of the case from the Punjab Police," the Haryana DGP said.

Ludhiana Range DIG M F Faooqui, who also holds charge of Patiala Range, in a statement had said that NRI Anoop Singh Kahlon "made certain disclosures concerning a few sportsmen, including boxers Vijender Singh and Ram Singh, which are presently being examined."

So far, Punjab Police has nabbed six persons in connection with the drug haul and had got their remand till March 13.

The six arrested persons are Canada-based Kahlon, his driver Kulwinder Singh Rockey, the driver's father Kuldeep Singh, the driver's brother-in-law Sandeep Singh, Manpreet Singh Gill alias Mani and Gabbar Singh.

Police had yesterday said that during interrogation Kahlon had alleged that Vijender and Ram Singh, a Punjab police inspector, were his "clients" and used to visit him.
The Ludhiana Range DIG had clarified that the NRI during his interrogation said he did not know Vijender directly, but had heard about him through Ram Singh.

Police had said that during interrogation Kahlon named a wrestler Jagdish Bhola, a former Punjab police cop, as the kingpin of the gang and he was absconding.

Bhola, an Arjun awardee, was recruited in 1993 in Bathinda district and later he became an inspector for his achievements in wrestling. He came into limelight when he was named for the Arjuna Award and also won the title of 'Rustum-e-Hind'.

Bhola was first booked for smuggling of contraband in 2001 when he was in the police. He was declared a proclaimed offender. In January, 2002 Bathinda police had registered a case under various sections of the NDPS Act against Bhola for his alleged involvement in drug smuggling.