Threats to Mohali pub’s staff: Accused’s Mercedes registered under MLA Kulwant’s JLPL firm

Notably, the owners of Brew Bros Microbrewery, a restaurant-cum-pub, are close associates of former Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu, who lost the recent Punjab assembly elections to Kulwant

Two days after two men in a Mercedes car issued death threats to the staff at Brew Bros Microbrewery in Sector 80 on Airport Road, police on Sunday said the car was registered under the name of Janta Land Promoters Limited (JLPL), a realty company owned by newly elected Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh.

MLA Kulwant said the pub owners had no substantial proof that they received threats from the men in the Mercedes. (HT)

The two men had arrived shortly after two motorcycle-borne men fired shots at the windows of the three-storey restaurant-cum-pub, hitting a window on the first floor. Diners and staff, who were still on the premises around 11.30 pm, had escaped unhurt.

Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Sukhjeet Singh, who is investigating the case said, “The car is registered under the name of JLPL. We are looking into who was using the car on Friday when the incident took place. The matter is being probed from all angles. For now, the firing doesn’t seem to be linked with the threats case.”

Notably, the owners of Brew Bros Microbrewery are close associates of former Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu, who lost the recent elections to Kulwant.

When contacted, MLA Kulwant said the pub owners had no substantial proof that they received threats from the men in the Mercedes. “The allegations are baseless. They are just bewildered by Congress’ defeat in the elections and have now stooped to frivolous accusations. It’s a public parking and any vehicle can go there.”

Besides alleging threats by the men in the Mercedes, the restaurant owner, Harpreet Singh, had also claimed that he received multiple threat text messages on WhatsApp before and after the firing.

Claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, the person sending him messages had demanded a ransom of ₹40 lakh before the firing, and on Saturday had sent more threat messages not to take the firing lightly, Singh had alleged.

Police have already registered a case under Sections 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act against unidentified persons with regard to both firing and threat matters.