Ludhiana, Punjab: As per media reports, the preliminary investigations into the Ludhiana shooting case have shown that it was SAD (Badal) leader Gurjit Singh who had shot at brothers Harinder Singh and Jatinder Singh from close range.
Constable Yadwinder Singh and Punjab Home Guard jawans Baldev Singh and Ajit Singh narrated this tale to the police team interrogating. The police have been questioning the accused separately to verify their statements.
The accused version was that Gurjit Singh had tipped off the police about the brothers. On Saturday, when they struck at the house at Jamalpur, the main door was locked from inside. Baldev entered the house after jumping from the roof of the neighbouring house.
Ludhiana Fake Encounter – brothers were shot in heads from close proximity
As per their story as PHG Baldev Singh barged into the house, the brothers and their two accomplices overpowered him and snatched his rifle. Baldev Singh opened the door and the three others, including Gurjit Singh, entered the house.
Their version is said the police team and Gurjit Singh indulged in a scuffle with the brothers and their accomplices and snatched the rifle back.
They reportedly told during interrogations that Gurjit Singh suddenly took out his pistol and fired at the two from close range. The brothers were shot in their heads.
The police team also arrested the two accomplices of the deceased brothers as they tried to escape.
According to police investigation, the brothers had rented the house recently. The police were looking for them in case related to some clash in which they were booked on attempt to murder charges.
As per Hindustan Times (HT), sources said the police had detained dismissed inspector Manjinder Singh, SHO, Machhiwara police station, on Monday evening and were interrogating him. The police have not formally arrested him.
On the other hand family members of accused Gurjit Singh are alleging that the police was trying to save it’s own face by putting all burden on Gurjit Singh.
As investigations are being conducted by Punjab police, that is itself accused, the fairness of investigations is under cloud. The Aam Aadmi Party has been demanding CBI inquiry so that independent investigations could take place in this case.
This case highlights the alarming state of police affairs in the state ruled by Badal Dal-BJP alliance.