Panchkula, July 9 -- A local court has dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of two sisters accused in a violent assault allegedly linked to a dispute during the Panchkula municipal corporation (MC) election campaign of councillor candidate Usha Rani, observing that the allegations were serious and custodial interrogation was necessary for a fair investigation. The petition was filed by Preeti, 24, and Sangeeta, 25, residents of Indira Colony, Sector 17, Panchkula, in connection with a first information report (FIR) registered at Sector 14 police station under various provisions of the BNS. According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on the night of May 9, when Gurudev, brother of the former councillor Usha Rani, was preparing food for election campaign workers. A verbal altercation with Manoj, a relative of Usha Rani, allegedly escalated into a violent clash. When Gurudev later went to apologise, members of Manoj's family, including the two petitioners, allegedly attacked him and his family. During the assault, Gurudev's son Mukul suffered grievous injuries after his thumb was nearly severed while trying to fend off a knife attack. Rejecting the plea, the court observed that both petitioners were specifically named in the FIR and were alleged to have been members of an unlawful assembly that caused grievous injuries with sharp-edged weapons. The court held that custodial interrogation was required for a thorough investigation and to facilitate the arrest of other co-accused.htc...