A domestic dispute turned deadly in Ludhiana on Saturday when a 45-year-old woman was allegedly shot and killed by her son-in-law, who police claim had intended to murder his own wife. The incident, rooted in marital discord, has sent shockwaves through the Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar locality.
The Fatal Afternoon: A Sequence of Violence
The tragedy unfolded on Saturday afternoon when the accused, identified as Vikram Rai, arrived at his in-laws' house in Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar. He was accompanied by an accomplice, Sunil, who waited outside on a motorcycle. Upon seeing Rai, his wife, Sakshi, who had been living at her parental home for about 15 days following a marital dispute, tried to lock the gate. Rai, however, forced his way inside.
A heated argument ensued between the couple. In an attempt to pacify the situation, Sakshi's mother, Poonam Pandey (45), intervened. It was at this moment that Vikram Rai allegedly pulled out a handgun and aimed it at his wife. In a twist of fate, the weapon malfunctioned and jammed on his first attempt.
Undeterred, Rai fired a second shot. This time, the bullet struck Poonam Pandey in the head. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Industrial Area-A) Inderjit Singh Boparai stated that investigators are probing whether Rai deliberately targeted his mother-in-law or if she was hit while trying to shield her daughter.
Neighbor's Heroic Effort and Police Investigation
Hearing the commotion, a neighbour, Hardev Singh, rushed to the scene. "I saw her lying in a pool of blood," Singh recounted. He immediately moved the critically injured Poonam Pandey to the Ludhiana Civil Hospital in his private vehicle. "On the way to the hospital, her daughter told me the man had first tried to shoot her, but she escaped," he added. Tragically, Poonam was declared dead on arrival by doctors.
Following the shooting, both Vikram Rai and his accomplice Sunil fled the scene. Investigators from the Jamalpur police station have launched a manhunt. "We are tracking the accused," confirmed ACP Boparai. Police have recovered crucial evidence from the crime scene, including a live cartridge and a spent shell.
Authorities are currently recording official statements from the grieving family to formally lodge a First Information Report (FIR). The marriage between Sakshi and Vikram Rai, which lasted only six months, was reportedly marred by a history of domestic strife, culminating in this violent episode.
Ongoing Probe and Community Impact
The case highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence and the easy availability of illegal firearms. The police are investigating the source of the handgun used in the crime and the exact role of the accomplice, Sunil. The local community in Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar remains in a state of fear and mourning following the brazen daytime shooting.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the potential for domestic disputes to escalate into irreversible tragedy, leaving families shattered and communities seeking answers and justice.
