In a significant breakthrough, the Punjab Police announced on Monday the arrest of five individuals, including two alleged shooters, in connection with the brazen killing of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and sarpanch Jarmal Singh. The murder, which took place at a wedding in Amritsar on January 4, has been linked to gangster Prabh Dasuwal, who is based in Portugal and identified as the mastermind.
Key Arrests and Transnational Links
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav detailed the coordinated operation. The two alleged shooters, Sukhraj Singh and Karamjit Singh, were apprehended from Raipur in Chhattisgarh in a joint effort with the Chhattisgarh Police, where they were reportedly hiding. Their transit remand has been secured until January 14 for bringing them to Amritsar by air.
DGP Yadav stated that a total of seven arrests have been made in the case so far: two from Raipur, three from Tarn Taran, and two from Mohali. The investigation, he noted, uncovered technical leads that revealed different modules, handlers operating from abroad, and a local network providing logistical support like vehicles and shelter. Senior officers including Amit Prasad (ADGP Counter Intelligence), GPS Bhullar (Commissioner, Amritsar Police), and Sukhchain Singh Gill (IG Headquarters) were present during the announcement.
The Brazen Wedding Hall Assassination
The shocking incident occurred on the afternoon of January 4 at the Marigold Marriage Palace in Amritsar. Jarmal Singh, the sarpanch of Valtoha Sandhua village in Tarn Taran district, was shot dead at around 2:30-3 pm, shortly after the bride and groom had departed. Chilling CCTV footage showed two unmasked assailants entering the hall, approaching Jarmal from behind as he was eating, and firing at point-blank range before fleeing within seconds, leaving guests in a state of panic.
Despite being rushed to a hospital, Jarmal Singh succumbed to his injuries. This was not the first attempt on his life. He had survived at least three previous attacks, including a shooting at his vehicle in March 2025. Following the murder, a social media post from foreign-based gangsters claimed responsibility, naming individuals like Dolly Bal, Prabh Dasuwal, and others linked to the Bambiha gang, and levelling serious accusations against the deceased.
Political Fallout and Police Action
The case quickly ignited a political storm in Punjab. Opposition parties, including the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), condemned the killing and pointed to a broader law-and-order crisis in the state, citing it as one of multiple murders in early January. They demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Leaders from the AAP, however, assured the public of swift justice.
In a related development, on January 6, gangster Harnur Singh alias Noor, who was linked to the conspiracy and associated with mastermind Prabh Dasuwal and Afridi, was killed in a police encounter in Bhikhiwind, Tarn Taran. A pistol was recovered from the scene. The police have cited personal enmity as the primary motive behind the targeted killing of Sarpanch Jarmal Singh.
