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Akansh Sen murder case: One report says key accused being extradited, other mentions him untraced: Court directs IO to probe

Harmehtab after a long trial was convicted in the case for murder and sentenced life imprisonment by the trial court in Chandigarh in November 2019. Despite multiple efforts, the Chandigarh Police has failed to apprehend Randhawa.

Akansh SenSen, the nephew of former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, was killed on the night of February 9, 2017, after being run over by a BMW car in Sector 9, Chandigarh (File Photo)

Noting that one report submitted by the Crime Branch in a court in the Akansh Sen murder case mentioned that one of the main accused is being extradited, while another report in the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court of Chandigarh suggesting that he is untraced, the CJM has asked the investigating officer to look into the matter.

Akansh Sen, the nephew of former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, was killed on the night of February 9, 2017, after being run over by a BMW in Sector 9, Chandigarh. Balraj Singh Randhawa, who was allegedly driving the vehicle, fled from the spot, while his friend Harmehtab Singh, also in the car, was arrested later.

Harmehtab after a long trial was convicted in the case for murder and sentenced life imprisonment by the trial court in Chandigarh in November 2019. Despite multiple efforts, the Chandigarh Police has failed to apprehend Randhawa.

The Court of CJM Sachin Yadav has been hearing the case pertaining to the FIR registered against Randhawa for proclamation.

As the matter came up for hearing before the CJM Court, the counsel for complainant placed on record that a report of the Crime Branch to the Court of Kaushal Kumar Yadav, Judicial Magistrate First Class, said that “Randhawa is in Canada and his extradition proceedings are being initiated by the concerned office”.

The CJM Court on perusing the case file, noted that “the present untraced report was filed by the investigating officer with the submission that raids were conducted in the native village as well as other possible places of Randhawa, but no clue was found”.

“It is surprising that this untraced report was accepted by the DSP (Central) on July 10, 2025, whereas, a contradictory report is given with regard to the same accused in some other Court by Police Station Crime,” the court noted.

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Returning the present case file for further investigation, the court directed the investigating officer to look into the report submitted by the Crime Branch in the Court of Kaushal Kumar Yadav, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Chandigarh, investigate the matter accordingly, and submit the final report at the earliest.

“The concerned SHO is directed to submit the final investigation report as early as possible,” the CJM Court said in the order.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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