Death Of Kent Taxi Driver

[akaash]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/6686539.stm

Taxi driver Gian Chand Bajar was run over by his own vehicle

Arrest after taxi driver killing

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a Kent taxi driver who was run over by his own cab.

Police were called to St Benedicts Avenue, in Gravesend, on Wednesday night after reports Gian Chand Bajar, 71, had been assaulted and run over.

The taxi was later found abandoned after it had been set alight in nearby Truro Road.

Officers said a 20-year-old man from the Gravesend area was arrested on Thursday afternoon.

Earlier, police said they had not ruled out whether the murder of Mr Bajar, who lived locally, was racially motivated.

Mr Bajar, who was married with five children, has been described as a loved and well respected member of the Sikh community.

His son, Telu Bajar, 35, of Darnley Road, Gravesend, described his father as "a pillar of the community".

He said: "He had very high morals and was very trusted by the people in our area. We're devastated. It was a cruel and callous crime.

"He sadly had his retirement cut short which deprived his family of a loving, caring father and grandfather."

Mr Bajar worked on a self-employed basis for Saturn Taxis in Gravesend.

Alan Meen, who lives in St Benedicts Avenue, was one of the first on the scene just after 2200 BST on Wednesday, and said he found Mr Bajar with "burn marks" on his arms from the car's exhaust.

'Quiet area'

"I put some blankets over him, put a blanket underneath his head, and waited for the ambulance," he recalled.

Another resident, George Tarling, 70, said the area was "generally very quiet" with no major crime problems.

"But I have heard of people asking taxi drivers to drop them off round here and then making a run for it without paying," he said.

The local Conservative MP for Gravesham, Adam Holloway, urged the killer to surrender to police.

"That person should be in custody as soon as possible.

"If you are the <banned word filter activated> that did this, you better go to the cops right now."

'Shock and anger'

In the wake of the killing, taxi drivers held a meeting with local police to highlight concerns about their safety.

Bruce Parmenter, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Gravesham and a taxi driver for 11 years, said there had been two attacks on drivers in St Benedicts Avenue in the past 18 months.

"My opinion is that this was a tragic incident that was bound to happen because police are not tackling crime.

"I'm sorry to say that this murder was not unexpected... there is shock, anger and disbelief among taxi drivers around here today," he said.

Taxi drivers will be balloted on industrial action with a view to striking next weekend if 100% of those who take part support a walkout.

Ch Supt Gary Beautridge appealed for witnesses and said the murder was a matter for the police to resolve.

"This is not an issue where individuals or groups should take the law into their own hands," he said.

[Bhai Sahib]

Sad to hear this, I use to know his daughter. I left Gravesend a while back and it has been going down hill since. If your living in Gravesend then leave while the property market is still hot. All the scum who now can't afford to live in $hit holes such as east london and ilford are making their way down the estuary to places such as Gravesend. Gravesend use to be a nice town.

[sikh supreme]

I hope theres vigilante action taken as it seems the authorites wont take action.

[lsingh]

Looks like somebody of an Indian background did it.

Last Updated: Monday, 28 May 2007, 11:57 GMT 12:57 UK

Taxi murder charge man in court

Gian Chand Bajar was found in St Benedict's Avenue

A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering a taxi driver who was run over by his own cab.

Gian Chand Bajar, 71, died after being attacked then run over by his vehicle in Gravesham, Kent.

The self-employed driver died in hospital after being found injured in St Benedict's Avenue on Wednesday.

Luke Aujila, of Dorchester Road, Gravesend, was remanded in custody by Medway magistrates until a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on 11 June.