Gian Chand Bajar
May 23, 2007
Gravesend, England
News Shopper (London, England) May 24, 2007 Arrest following taxi driver killing By Charlotte McDonald A 20-YEAR-OLD has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a taxi driver in Gravesend last night. Police were called to St Benedicts Avenue at 10.10pm last night after reports a taxi driver, Gian Chand Bajar, had been seriously assaulted. The 71-year-old died later in the evening of his injuries in Darent Valley Hospital. Officers have arrested a 20-year-old man from Gravesend this afternoon in connection with the inquiry. The victim's son, Telu Bajar, is appealing for anyone with information about the crime to come forward. The 35-year-old said: "Dad was an honest, hardworking member of the local community in Gravesham. "He sadly had his retirement cut short which deprived his family of a loving caring father and grandfather. "We will miss him dearly. "Please, please tell the police anything you know." The taxi driver's silver Skoda Octavia was stolen and found abandoned and alight in an alleyway adjacent to Dorchester Avenue. Police officers say they have witnesses who claim a vehicle was driven over Mr Bajar. It has been reported the victim was ran over by his own car. Police are treating this incident as a murder investigation. Residents in St Benedicts Avenue have spoken of their shock at the murder. Retired HGV driver George Tarling, 70, said: "At 4 o'clock in the morning I heard voices outside my bedroom window, I looked out and there were police everywhere and the whole area was taped off. "He has four children and was an elderly man so it's dreadful." Susan Rice, 54, said: "I've lived here for two years and I've never heard anything like it. I'm worried about it because I never thought it would happen in our area." Brian Sangha, Kent Police Authority member for north Kent, said: "This really is a tragic loss." Taxi drivers plan protest More than 50 taxi drivers have voted to strike this weekend following the murder. The action was proposed by the operators of Saturn Taxis this morning, which the victim was believed to have worked for. Gravesend taxi driver Bruce Parmenter, who also is Liberal Democrat spokesman for Gravesham, says cabbies working for this company are shocked and upset. He says the strike will raise awareness of violence towards taxi drivers. The aim is to take people into town on Friday and Saturday before stopping working, he says. Mr Parmenter says there have been attacks on drivers in St Benedicts Avenue in the past. Gravesham Council says a meeting is being arranged between police and taxi drivers' representatives to discuss the safety of cabbies. Mr Parmenter said: "I am sad to say this doesn't suprise me. "It was a tragedy which has been waiting to happen. "There is a lot of anger among taxi drivers. "Attacks started about five years ago and I don't think there has been a single arrest. "A lot of violence against taxi drivers is unreported because drivers feel that they are not getting support from the police. "I would urge them to report everything. He added: "The strike has been organised to bring awareness to our problem and send a message that we are not going to stand by while nothing happens. "There have been no arrests over violence towards taxi drivers in the past as far as I am aware." Shane Waterman, who works at Astra Airport Transfers, claims: "We know at least 20 reported injuries to drivers in the past four years." Kent Police has been approached to comment on these allegations. Last year, News Shopper reported how taxi drivers were hitting out about attacks and calling on the police to do more. A Kent Police spokesman, speaking at the time, said: "Police in north Kent work with taxi drivers through the Cabwatch scheme where various personal safety recommendations are put in place." Gravesham Council leader Councillor David Turner said: "The council's new administration is determined to make crime and community safety its top priority and crime involving taxis, especially violent crime, was one of the issues to be tackled. "This tragic event has added impetus and urgency to this." Witnesses are being sought both in St Benedicts Avenue and also in the Springfield area of Gravesend where Mr Bajar's taxi was flagged down at around 10pm. Police would also like to speak to anyone with information in the Dorchester Avenue and Lamorna Avenue area, where the taxi was found burnt out. Call the incident room on 01622 654850 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
News Shopper
May 26, 2007
Extra time to question suspect
By Charlotte McDonald
OFFICERS have been given an extra 24 hours to question a man arrested in connection with the murder of a taxi driver.
Police were called to St Benedicts Avenue at 10.10pm after reports the taxi driver had been seriously assaulted.
71-year-old Gian Chand Bajar died later in the evening of his injuries in Darent Valley Hospital.
Officers arrested a 20-year-old man from Gravesend on Thursday on suspicion of murder.
Magistrates granted police an extra 24 hours to question the man.
The victim's son, Telu Bajar, is appealing for anyone with information about the crime to come forward.
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The 35-year-old said: "Dad was an honest, hardworking member of the local community in Gravesham.
"He sadly had his retirement cut short which deprived his family of a loving caring father and grandfather.
"We will miss him dearly.
"Please, please tell the police anything you know."
The father-of-five's silver Skoda Octavia was stolen and found abandoned and alight in an alleyway.
Police officers say they have witnesses who claim a vehicle was driven over Mr Bajar. It has been reported the victim was ran over by his own car.
Police are treating this incident as a murder investigation.
Residents in St Benedicts Avenue have spoken of their shock at the murder.
Retired HGV driver George Tarling, 70, said: "At 4 o'clock in the morning I heard voices outside my bedroom window, I looked out and there were police everywhere and the whole area was taped off."
Susan Rice, 54, said: "I've lived here for two years and I've never heard anything like it. I'm worried about it because I never thought it would happen in our area."
Brian Sangha, Kent Police Authority member for north Kent, said: "This really is a tragic loss."
Taxi drivers plan protest
Strike action proposed after the murder has been put on hold.
A meeting for all the borough's taxi drivers has been organised for next week.
Taxi driver Ian Armitage says this will give cabbies a chance to calm down and get over the shock of the murder.
They will have a chance to decide whether to take action at the meeting.
Mr Armitage said: "There is no strike imminent at the moment."
Strike action was reportedly proposed Thursday by the operators of Saturn Taxis, which the victim was believed to have worked for.
Gravesend taxi driver Bruce Parmenter, who also is Liberal Democrat spokesman for Gravesham, says cabbies working for this company are shocked and upset.
Mr Parmenter says there have been attacks on drivers in St Benedicts Avenue in the past.
Gravesham Council says a meeting is being arranged between police and taxi drivers' representatives to discuss the safety of cabbies.
Mr Parmenter said: "I am sad to say this doesn't suprise me. It was a tragedy which has been waiting to happen. There is a lot of anger among taxi drivers. Attacks started about five years ago and I don't think there has been a single arrest. A lot of violence against taxi drivers is unreported because drivers feel that they are not getting support from the police. I would urge them to report everything. There have been no arrests over violence towards taxi drivers in the past as far as I am aware."
Shane Waterman, who works at Astra Airport Transfers, claims: "We know at least 20 reported injuries to drivers in the past four years."
Chief Superintendent Gary Beautridge, north Kent area commander for Kent Police, said: "Gravesend is an incredibly safe place to live, work and socialise and we are already working with the local taxi industry and the local council to ensure the safety of taxi drivers, their staff and customers."
"Because of the strength of feeling expressed by the taxi drivers of Gravesend, I am personally committed to meeting with them next week to discuss to their concerns and to introducing a regime, in partnership with the local council and the the taxi industry, to combat any issues raised."
Last year, News Shopper reported how taxi drivers were hitting out about attacks and calling on the police to do more.
A Kent Police spokesman, speaking at the time, said: "Police in north Kent work with taxi drivers through the Cabwatch scheme where various personal safety recommendations are put in place."
Gravesham Council leader Councillor David Turner said: "The council's new administration is determined to make crime and community safety its top priority and crime involving taxis, especially violent crime, was one of the issues to be tackled.
"This tragic event has added impetus and urgency to this."
Witnesses are being sought both in St Benedicts Avenue and also in the Springhead area of Gravesend where Mr Bajar's taxi was flagged down at around 10pm.
Mr Beautridge said: "We know that Mr Bajar's taxi was flagged down, possibly more than once, and we need to speak to those people.
"It is possible that they may hold vital information, however insignificant it may seem, which will help bring the person who committed this heinous crime against Bajar, to justice.
"We also renew our appeal for information of any kind from the Dorchester Road/Lamorna Avenue area where Mr Bajar's taxi was found burnt out.
"A dedicated incident room line has been set up and we will have bi-lingual staff manning that until 10pm today and over the weekend.
"That number is 01622 654850."
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/topstories/display.var.1422304.0.extra_time_to_question_suspect.php
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Daily Star (London, England) May 28, 2007 Man in court over taxi driver death 28/05/07 A man has appeared in court charged with murdering an elderly taxi driver who was run over by his own cab. Luke Andrew Aujila, 20, is accused of killing 71-year-old father- of-five Gian Chand Bajar. Mr Bajar, who was semi-retired, was assaulted and run over by his silver Skoda Octavia in St Benedict's Avenue, Gravesend, Kent, on Wednesday night. He was taken to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, where he died from his injuries. Aujila, of Dorchester Road, Gravesend, was remanded in custody by Medway magistrates to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on June 11. +++++++++++++++++++++++ News Shopper (London, England) June 4, 2007 Keeping cabbies safe after murder CABBIES have succeeded in making safety a top priority for the council following the murder of a taxi driver. They organised a meeting with north Kent police and Gravesham Council after the murder of 71-year-old Gian Chand Bajar in Gravesend on May 23. The meeting was held to decide how to improve taxi drivers' safety. A day after the murder, there had been calls for cabbies to strike because it was claimed the authorities had ignored previous warnings they were at risk. Shane Waterman, a spokesman for the United Taxi Group of Gravesend, says numerous letters had been sent to Gravesham Council over the past few years about violence faced by cabbies. He said: "Our letters got curt replies and people were never available to talk to us." Following the meeting at the Civic Centre in Gravesend on May 30, the group dropped its plan to strike. Mr Waterman said: "We are prepared to give Gravesham Council some room because it is a new party in control and we are giving them a chance to act on their commitment to safety in their manifesto." Police agreed to a request from taxi drivers to do random checks on cabs and their passengers and this has already started happening. From now on, taxi drivers will be represented on a number of bodies which monitor and report safety concerns. These include the Public Policy Safety Unit run by police and council officers, which monitors problems such as crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough. Council leader Councillor David Turner said: "The meeting went very well and we will be working together to improve safety." The council's overview scrutiny committee will also look at ways to improve safety for taxi drivers. An inquest into Mr Bajar's death is due to open on Friday. Luke Andrew Aujila, aged 20, of Dorchester Road, Gravesend, has been charged with Mr Bajar's murder. He is currently in custody ahead of a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on June 11. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ BBC News (London, England) June 21, 2007 Funeral procession for cab driver A fleet of cabs has joined the funeral procession of a taxi driver who died after being run over by his own car. Gian Chand Bajar, 71, died in hospital after being found injured in Gravesend while he was working on 23 May. About 100 of his colleagues followed the horse and carriage carrying his body from Gravesend to Medway Crematorium near Bluebell Hill. Black ribbons were tied around the wing mirrors of their cabs as a mark of respect for their colleague. Mourners gathered at the Guru Nanak Education and Sports Complex on Thursday morning, which is in the grounds of the new Sikh temple in Khalsa Avenue, Gravesend. Mr Bajar was a prominent member of the Sikh community and well known in the town for his tireless campaign to build the £12m gurdwara, which is nearing completion. His son-in-law, Verinder Bhoombla, said: "We cannot imagine how we will cope without him. "He was a person who led by example, who was there not just for the family, but for the whole community." Mr Bajar's friend, Councillor Makhan Singh, said: "I admire him for his involvement in the community, particularly on a voluntary basis. "He helped to achieve the funds for the gurdwara. "He was also a person where, if there was a conflict, he was able to mediate." A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Bajar.
BBC
October 30, 2007
Taxis win safety camera funding
Gian Chand Bajar was found injured in St Benedict's Avenue
Taxi drivers in a Kent town have won European funding to fit CCTV cameras in their cabs following the death of a driver who was assaulted and run over.
A £59,000 grant from the Urban Thames Gateway is to be match-funded by Gravesham Borough Council, the police and the drivers.
More than 100 taxi and private hire operators have signed up to get CCTV.
Gian Chand Bajar, 71, was fatally injured while he was working on 23 May. A man aged 20 is charged with murder.
I had three guys in the car a couple of weeks ago who became very, very abusive
Rick Davis, taxi driver
His family have welcomed the news that taxis in Gravesend will now be able to have cameras fitted in their vehicles.
Verinder Bhoombla said the loss of his father-in-law was still being deeply felt.
"If there's a family gathering... there's a vacuum. You think he's around the corner... but he's not there."
Taxi driver Rick Davis fitted his own camera into his cab some time ago, and said it had already made a difference.
'Safer borough'
"I had three guys in the car a couple of weeks ago who became very, very abusive.
"When they realised they were on camera they were out of the car quicker than grease lightning," he said.
Drivers from Gravesham and Dartford have been invited to an open day at Brands Hatch next week to view the CCTV cameras and other safety equipment.
Leader of the council Mike Snelling said: "Community safety is the council's number one priority and we are pledged to make the borough safer. Cameras in taxis can not only give drivers more security but also their passengers."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/7068651.stm
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BBC 12/6/2007 Man admits to killing taxi driver A man has admitted killing a taxi driver by running him over with his own cab, but he is still due to stand trial after denying a murder charge. Luke Aujila, 20, of Dorchester Road, Gravesend, Kent, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but not guilty to murdering Gian Chand Bajar. The 71-year-old was found injured in St Benedict's Avenue, Gravesend, in May. The prosecution has disputed Aujila's plea that there was no murderous intent in the killing. Maidstone Crown Court remanded him in custody on Thursday, ahead of a trial scheduled to last for up to three weeks from 6 May. Mr Bajar, a father of five, died in hospital from the injuries he sustained in the incident on 23 May. +++++++++++++++++++ KentNews.co.uk December 6, 2007 Man admits manslaughter of Kent taxi driver A man has admitted killing a taxi driver, but claims it was manslaughter and not murder. Luke Aujila, 20, from Dorchester Road in Gravesend, appeared before Maidstone Crown Court charged with killing 71-year-old Gian Chand Bajar by running him over with his own taxi. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but denied a murder charge. Mr Bajar died in hospital following the incident in St Benedict’s Avenue in Gravesend on May 23. The prosecution claimed there was murderous intent, and Aujila will now stand trial next May. He has been remanded in custody in the meantime.
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