Police Find Bullet Marks on House and Vehicle

Chandigarh, 14 August (H.S.): A firing incident has been reported outside the Amritsar residence of former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, who had earlier pronounced religious punishment on Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

According to police, bullet marks were found on the former Jathedar’s private vehicle as well as at his residence. A bullet was also recovered from the spot.

In his statement to police, Giani Raghbir Singh said that the sound of a gunshot was captured on CCTV footage. A youth wearing a red T-shirt was also seen moving on a scooter near the house. Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill reached the spot after receiving information about the incident.

Giani Raghbir Singh said the firing took place at around 11.04 pm on August 12, when a bullet struck the bonnet of a vehicle parked outside his house. The family came to know about the incident at around 5.15 pm on August 13, when the driver noticed a bullet mark while cleaning the vehicle.

During examination, the bullet was found to be of .32 bore. CCTV footage reportedly captured the sound of the bullet striking the vehicle. A youth was also seen travelling near the house on a scooter and later talking on the phone at a nearby chowk.

The former Jathedar said he had not received any direct threat or threatening phone call. However, he claimed that in the past there had been attempts to hit his vehicle from the side or force another vehicle into his convoy.

DCP Investigation Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu said preliminary investigation suggested that the bullet had travelled from an upward direction towards the ground before striking at the spot. Police are trying to determine the exact direction from which the shot was fired.

Police have also questioned the former Jathedar’s personal security officer and are contacting residents of nearby houses. CCTV footage from different cameras installed in the area is being examined to find further clues.

The DCP said that so far, investigators have not found evidence showing that any person directly fired towards the residence. Police are examining all possible angles and have not ruled out any possibility.

The incident comes a day after Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a kirpan at Gurdwara Mata Sahib in Maharashtra’s Nanded on August 13. Giani Raghbir Singh had pronounced religious punishment on Badal in connection with alleged sacrilege-related issues around two years ago.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH