Ludhiana Birthday Celebration Descends into Chaos: Tent Dispute Sparks Assault and Gun Threat
A festive birthday gathering for a five-year-old girl in Ludhiana's New Azad Nagar neighborhood took a terrifying turn on Sunday night, transforming into a scene of violence and attempted gunfire. What began as a simple dispute over a blocked street quickly escalated into a physical assault and a potentially fatal shooting attempt, according to police reports filed at the Daba police station.
From Celebration to Confrontation: The Trigger Incident
The incident unfolded on January 25 when Ajay Kumar, 34, was celebrating his daughter Mansi's sixth birthday at their residence. To accommodate relatives who had traveled from Uttar Pradesh for the occasion, Kumar had erected a temporary tent in the street outside his home. The celebration took a dark turn around 10:45 PM when a neighbor identified as Vaneet Kumar attempted to pass through the blocked area with his food cart.
"I politely requested him to park his cart near the tent and explained he could retrieve it once our party concluded shortly," Ajay Kumar recounted in his police statement. "However, Vaneet, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, immediately began arguing with me instead of cooperating."
Rapid Escalation: Physical Assault and Firearm Threat
The verbal confrontation turned physical within moments when Vaneet Kumar allegedly returned to the scene with three accomplices: Ravi Khacchar, Mani Khacchar, and Ranveer Kapoor. According to the complaint, the group forcibly dragged Ajay Kumar from his home and began beating him in the street.
The situation reached its most dangerous point when two of the assailants, Ravi and Mani Khacchar, reportedly produced a firearm. "They brandished the weapon and attempted to fire a shot directly at me," Ajay Kumar stated in his complaint. "By sheer luck, the gun malfunctioned and jammed, preventing the bullet from discharging and potentially saving my life."
Police Response and Legal Action
Following the weapon malfunction, the suspects fled the scene. Assistant Sub-Inspector Resham Singh, the investigating officer from Daba police station, confirmed that authorities have taken Vaneet Kumar into custody while conducting raids to apprehend the remaining three accused.
"We have registered a formal case against all four individuals involved in this disturbing incident," ASI Resham Singh stated. "Our teams are actively pursuing leads and conducting raids across the area to ensure the remaining suspects are apprehended promptly."
The accused face serious charges under multiple legal provisions:
- Sections 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 351(2) for criminal intimidation
- Section 191 for rioting while armed with deadly weapons
- Section 190 for unlawful assembly under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Sections 25, 54, and 59 of the Arms Act for firearm-related offenses
This incident highlights how minor neighborhood disputes can rapidly escalate into serious criminal situations, particularly when alcohol and weapons become involved. The Ludhiana police have emphasized their commitment to maintaining public safety and ensuring all perpetrators face appropriate legal consequences for their actions.
