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25-year-old bizman shot dead in Ludhiana, cops link murder to rivalry
Police suspect the assailants targeted Harjinder Singh after allegedly blaming him for the arrest of a member of the rival group while he was trying to broker a compromise between the two sides
A 25-year-old realtor and garment trader was shot dead in Tibba’s Sawtantar Nagar late Friday night, allegedly by a group linked to an existing rivalry involving his friend. Police suspect the assailants targeted Harjinder Singh after allegedly blaming him for the arrest of a member of the rival group while he was trying to broker a compromise between the two sides.
According to police, Harjinder was returning after having dinner with three friends in Sarabha Nagar when the group intercepted his car in Sawtantar Nagar. The three friends fled after the assailants opened fire. Harjinder, however, was caught by the attackers, who allegedly fired five bullets at him and also attacked him with sharp-edged weapons, fracturing both his legs. He died at the spot.
The three friends escaped unhurt and later pelted bricks at the assailants, who allegedly chased them and opened fire at them. A CCTV camera installed near the scene is also said to have captured the attack.
Harjinder’s friend Sandeep said they had stopped in Sawtantar Nagar to collect their scooter when the assailants arrived in a car. “About six to seven men arrived in a car. Two were carrying sharp-edged weapons while the others had pistols. They intercepted the car and started firing at us. We ran into nearby streets to save ourselves, but Harjinder was caught by them,” he said.
Sandeep alleged that the assailants had previously threatened him with dire consequences and that he had approached the police over the threats. Harjinder had intervened in the dispute and was attempting to broker a compromise between Sandeep and the rival group, he said.
Inspector Gagandeep Singh, station house officer of Tibba police station, said, “The murder appeared to be linked to the existing rivalry involving Sandeep. An attempt-to-murder case was registered against members of the rival group in May, and police arrested one of the accused, Amandeep Kaku, about a week ago. Harjinder was trying to broker a compromise between the two sides. After Amandeep’s arrest, the accused allegedly suspected Harjinder of betraying them and blamed him for the arrest. This appears to have fuelled the rivalry, following which they targeted and killed him.”
Police have identified five suspects — Ravi, Bobby, Mohit, Sunny and Bheelu — while two other alleged accomplices are yet to be identified. A murder case has been registered and police teams are conducting raids to arrest the suspects.
Police said Harjinder had previously been booked under the Arms Act and NDPS Act at Ladhowal police station and was released on bail in June.
Harjinder’s father said the family was informed around 11.45pm that his son had been injured and was being taken to hospital. By the time he reached the hospital, Harjinder had died. “He has suffered five bullet injuries, including one on his face and others around his abdomen. His legs were also broken. He had no personal rivalry with anyone. He was only trying to resolve his friend’s dispute,” he said.
Family refuses autopsy, cremation until all accused arrested
Harjinder’s father said the family would not allow the post-mortem or cremation until all those responsible for the murder were arrested.
On Saturday evening, former BJP leader and former Union minister of state Ravneet Singh Bittu visited the victim’s family and expressed concern over the law-and-order situation in Punjab. Bittu alleged that murders, extortion and robberies had become routine in the state.
