The family of a young man shot dead in a village near Ludhiana has taken a firm stand for justice, refusing to perform his last rites until the police arrest the main accused named in the First Information Report (FIR). The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community.
A Stand for a Friend Leads to Tragedy
The victim, identified as Gagandeep Singh, a resident of Manuke village, was shot dead on Monday. According to his grieving family members, the murder was a direct result of Gagandeep standing up for his friend, Ekam. They allege that Ekam was being harassed by Gursewak Singh, also known as Mota, and his associates.
During the violent attack, Ekam was present and sustained minor injuries. However, Gagandeep bore the brunt of the assault, suffering multiple bullet wounds. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The police have registered a case and booked several individuals in connection with the crime.
Family's Heart-Wrenching Ultimatum
In a powerful act of protest, the victim's family has declared they will not cremate Gagandeep's body until they see concrete action from the authorities. Gurmeet Kaur, the mother of the deceased, expressed the family's anguish and resolve. She revealed the chilling audacity of the attackers, stating they came to their house to announce they had killed her son and told the family to collect his body.
"They didn't just murder my son. They came to our house and told us they had killed him and asked us to pick up his body," said Gurmeet Kaur. "Until every accused is arrested, there will be no cremation." This stance underscores the deep trauma and demand for immediate justice.
Legal Action and Charges Filed
The Ludhiana police have initiated legal proceedings based on the complaint. An FIR has been lodged against multiple individuals, including:
- Gursewak Singh alias Mota (main accused)
- Nikka Singh alias Gharu
- Pardeep Das alias Pappa
- Jaspal Singh Hansa
- Gurdeep Singh of Moga
- Seven to eight other unidentified accomplices
The accused have been charged under several sections of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 103 (Murder)
- Section 303(2) (Theft)
- Section 126(2) (Wrongful restraint)
- Section 351(2) (Criminal intimidation)
- Section 190 (Unlawful assembly)
- Section 191(3) (Rioting)
Additionally, charges have been pressed under Sections 25, 54, and 59 of the Arms Act for the illegal use of firearms. All the named individuals, except Gurdeep Singh, are residents of Manuke village itself, pointing to a localized conflict.
The case highlights a grim instance of violence in Punjab's Ludhiana district and puts the spotlight on police response time in arresting the accused. The family's protest has turned the cremation ground into a site of demand for justice, creating significant pressure on law enforcement to act swiftly.
