Malerkotla man in Chandigarh for mother’s treatment robbed, assaulted in auto

Complainant Sandeep Singh said the auto driver refused to stop at PGI Chowk in Chandigarh, insisting he would drop Sandeep further ahead; growing suspicious, Sandeep attempted to jump out, but the boy seated in the back, identified as Golu, restrained him

A Malerkotla resident, who had come to Chandigarh for his mother’s treatment at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), was abducted, robbed and assaulted in an auto he had hired. Police have arrested one of the suspects in the case.

After being discharged from PGI Hospital, Chandigarh, on August 19, Sandeep returned to his village in Malerkotla to attend to urgent matters. (HT Photo)

Complainant Sandeep Singh said the incident took place on the evening of August 17. He said he had hired an autorickshaw from PGI Chowk to Sector 11 market to buy coconut water for his mother.

Upon entering the auto, he noticed a young boy already seated in the back. Sandeep paid ₹50 to the auto driver, identified as Kallu, to take him to and from the market.

As they returned to PGI Chowk, the auto driver refused to stop, insisting he would drop Sandeep further ahead. Growing suspicious, Sandeep attempted to jump out, but the boy in the back, identified as Golu, restrained him. Golu allegedly covered Sandeep’s mouth and held him inside the auto as it sped towards the Khuda Lahora Bridge, eventually reaching the secluded area near Dhanas Lake.