Ludhiana: Man opens fire in air from moving SUV, held

ASI Satwinder Singh, who is investigating the case, received information that occupants of an SUV had opened fire in air from the moving vehicle near Ishar Nagar Canal bridge in Ludhiana

A Ferozepur resident along with his friend opened fire in the air from a moving SUV near Ishar Nagar. The accused was reportedly under the influence of liquor. The Sadar police arrested the accused, while his aide is yet to be arrested.

A Ferozepur resident along with his friend opened fire in air from a moving SUV near Ishar Nagar in Ludhiana. The accused was reportedly under the influence of liquor. The Sadar police arrested the accused, while his aide is yet to be arrested. (HT Photo)

The arrested accused has been identified as Sandeep Kumar of Guru Har Sahai of Ferozepur. The accused is a farmer. The police recovered his licensee pistol, eight bullets and Mitsubishi Pajero from his possession. His aide is Harpreet Singh, who is on the run.

ASI Satwinder Singh, who is investigating the case, received information that occupants of an SUV had opened fire in the air from the moving vehicle near Ishar Nagar Canal bridge following which panic gripped the area.

The locals jotted down the number of the vehicle and informed the police.

The ASI added that by tracing the registration number of the vehicle, the police traced the accused and arrested him. During questioning, the accused told the police that he was under the influence of liquor. He also claimed that he had opened fire as he found someone was chasing them in a car.

The ASI said the accused claimed that he had fired only one bullet, while the onlookers stated that the accused had opened two to three fires in the air.

A case under Sections 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC, Sections 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been lodged against the accused. A hunt is on for the arrest of Harpreet.

Showing concern over the misuse of weapons, the Punjab government has already banned songs promoting “gun culture” and violence and prohibited flaunting of weapons, besides the review of arms licences in the state to ensure law and order. The state government has been under fire from the opposition, particularly the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), over the deteriorating law and order situation. Concerns over law and order have heightened after back-to-back murders of Shiv Sena (Taksali) leader Sudhir Suri in Amritsar and Dera Sacha Sauda follower Pardeep Singh in Faridkot, within a week earlier this month.