A violent uprising at Ludhiana's Central Jail, which left the superintendent and several staff members injured, has been traced back to a bloody gangland feud involving notorious gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, according to findings from an internal investigation. The chaos erupted on Tuesday, with inmates using iron rods, bricks, and sharp weapons to attack prison authorities.
Four Key Attackers Identified in Murders and Melee
The probe identified four inmates as the primary instigators of the jail assault. Charandeep Singh (alias Sahil) of Amritsar, Rajat Kumar from Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, Rohit of Amritsar, and Parminder Singh, also from Amritsar, are the accused. Significantly, these four individuals are already the main accused in the June murders of Harjit Kaur and Karanvir Singh on the Batala-Qadian Road – a killing for which the Davinder Bambiha gang claimed responsibility.
Jail officials confirmed that these four men led the attack on staff during the riot. All four had been recently transferred to Ludhiana Central Jail from Gurdaspur Jail following prior clashes there. In total, police have filed charges against 24 inmates in connection with the violence. Others named in the case include Sunil Kumar (alias Nata) of Ferozepur, Bikramjit Singh of Bhaini Sahib, Maninder from Sangrur, Shivkaran of Gurdaspur, Manpreet Singh of Jagraon, Ranjodh Singh of Ludhiana, Ishar Singh (alias Yogi) of Patiala, and Baljit Singh of Muktsar Sahib, among others from across Punjab and neighboring states.
Sequence of a Spontaneous Riot
Contrary to initial suspicions of a pre-meditated plot, a jail official described the incident as a spontaneous eruption that quickly escalated. The trouble began around 5:30 PM when inmates from a punishment cell, who were being disciplined for slapping another prisoner, started shouting slogans and rallying others.
"It was under control until these four assaulted staff," the official stated. "They weren't pre-planned; it escalated suddenly." The situation rapidly deteriorated when the four key attackers launched their assault on the jail staff.
FIR Details Chaotic Assault and Escape Bid
The First Information Report (FIR), filed by Assistant Superintendent Vijay Kumar, provides a detailed account of the rampage. It states that the incident originated from a dispute in the barracks, which required intervention from Kumar and Head Warder Boota Singh. Inmates Sunil Kumar and Bikramjit Singh pretended to need medical attention to exit the barracks, then enlisted Maninder and Shivkaran to attack another inmate, Vicky Pandit from Fazilka.
After staff intervened to separate them, the agitated group began raising anti-administration slogans, sounded the security siren, and called the police. As police responders arrived, inmates burst out of the barracks armed with concealed iron rods and blades. They hurled bricks from the garden area and attempted to smash locks to free more prisoners.
The FIR clearly states that the inmates attacked Superintendent Kulwant Singh Sidhu and others in a concerted bid to escape the prison premises. Superintendent Sidhu sustained a severe head injury and collapsed; he is currently recovering in a private hospital. Other injured personnel include Sub-Inspector Bhupinder Singh of Moti Nagar police station and two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, B. Venkateshwar and Bhupinder Singh.
In the aftermath, to defuse ongoing tensions, jail authorities have formally requested the transfer of 17 inmates, including the four identified ringleaders, to other facilities. This major incident has thrown a spotlight on prison security and the challenges of managing inmates involved in high-profile gang rivalries in Punjab's correctional system.
