Ludhiana Court Imposes Seven-Year Sentence for Attempted Murder of Army Soldier
A local court in Ludhiana has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing a man to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for the attempted murder of an Army soldier and his brother in a 2015 incident. The case, which stemmed from a bitter dispute over a village drain, saw Sukhwinder Singh convicted by Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Singh Bajwa in a fast-track court.
Court Verdict and Penalties
In addition to the seven-year prison term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on Sukhwinder Singh. The judgment specifies that failure to pay this fine will result in an additional seven-month sentence. However, in a separate ruling, the court acquitted Sukhwinder Singh's wife, Pardeep Kaur, citing that the prosecution had not sufficiently proven her "common intention" or active involvement in the shooting beyond a reasonable doubt.
Background of the Dispute
The violent episode traces back to June 20, 2015, in the village of Birmi. Court documents reveal that the conflict was fueled by "previous enmity" related to a small bridge, or culvert, constructed by the local panchayat over a drain. Sukhwinder Singh had reportedly opposed this construction, which enabled his neighbor, Baljinder Singh, to cross the area on a motorcycle, sparking tensions.
Details of the Shooting Incident
The prosecution's case heavily relied on the testimony of Jasmail Singh, whose son Gurpreet Singh—an Army soldier stationed in Assam—was home on leave during the attack. According to court proceedings, on the day of the shooting, Baljinder Singh called his nephews, Gurpreet and Dilpreet Singh, for assistance during an altercation with Sukhwinder Singh. Upon arriving, the brothers found Sukhwinder Singh grappling with their uncle.
The situation escalated when the group followed Sukhwinder Singh to his residence. Prosecution evidence established that he emerged with a .32-bore licensed revolver and fired four shots:
- The first shot was fired into the air as a warning.
- The second shot was aimed at Dilpreet Singh, narrowly missing his armpit.
- The third shot struck below Gurpreet Singh's right armpit, causing severe internal injuries.
- The fourth shot was directed at Baljinder Singh, who survived by diving to the ground.
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
Gurpreet Singh was urgently transported to Dayanand Medical College (DMC) in Ludhiana for emergency treatment. During the trial, Sukhwinder Singh maintained his innocence, alleging false implication. However, Judge Bajwa found the evidence of "intent and knowledge" compelling enough for a conviction. The judge noted that firing a lethal weapon at the victims clearly demonstrated an intention to cause death, even though Gurpreet survived the assault.
This case highlights the severe consequences of violent disputes in rural areas and underscores the judiciary's role in upholding justice for victims, including those serving in the armed forces.
