Seven NRIs remanded in the UK for killing kabaddi star

Prasun Sonwalkar

London, Aug 5 (PTI) Seven people of Indian origin have
been remanded to judicial custody in the UK in connection with
the killing of prominent kabaddi player Suvinder Singh Batth
outside a pub he owned in Bilston in the West Midlands.

Batth, 47, was shot dead outside his pub called
Gavin’s Sports Bar last week. The seven people charged with
his murder were remanded to judicial custody during a hearing
at the Wolverhampton magistrates court.

Kabaddi enthusiasts paid tributes to Batth as his
family grappled with the loss.

One fan wrote online: "What a tragedy. Great player of
the game, but more so, he was well known for being one of the
truly great characters. RIP."

Another fan said: "He was one of the best stoppers in
England over the years. He went toe-to-toe with much heavier
men and was a big crowd favourite. 'He was a real character
who will be a big loss for all the Kabaddi world."

Batth’s pub was named after his son, Gavin, who
reportedly cradled his dying father as he waited for police
and ambulance crews to arrive at the scene.

Batth’s daughter Danny, 20, said: "He was a loving,
caring man who was so generous to us all. We all loved him so
much. We just can't believe this."

The six people charged with the murder are Gurpreet
Singh Ottalan, 21, Onkar Singh Sangha, 21, Narinder Kumar, 25,
Jasbir Singh Takhar, 22, Neesha Dubb, 19, and Jarnal Singh
Bajwa, 34. All denied the charge, but were remanded in
custody.
Sukwinder Singh Sanghera, 23, chose not to enter a
plea and was also remanded in custody. PTI