Attack on Punjab Shiv Sena leader: Another accused who helped one attacker flee held

Police had earlier claimed that “the attack wasn’t pre-planned”.

Police identified the accused arrested Thursday as Jaswinder Singh, alias Sunny, of Chuharpur Peeran Wali Gali, Haibowal, Ludhiana.

Police said Sunny wasn’t present on the spot during the incident, but he helped one of the attackers flee by providing logistical support.

Police had earlier arrested two main accused, both Nihang Singhs — Sarabjit Singh, alias Sabi, and Harjot Singh, alias Jota — who allegedly attacked Thapar with swords on the Old Jail road near the Civil Hospital on July 5.

Police said their other accomplice Suchha Singh, alias Ladi, of Khanpur village, Baba Bakala in Amritsar district, who was present on the spot, is still absconding.

ADCP (investigation) Amandeep Singh Brar said Sarabjit, Harjot and Succha were on the spot and CCTV cameras captured them attacking Thapar. “After the attack, Sarabjit called Jaswinder and asked him for help. While Sarabjit and Harjot fled the scene on Thapar’s two-wheeler, Suchha reached the ‘chhawni’ (makeshift shelter) of Nihang Singhs near Samrala Chowk, where Jaswinder Singh was present. Jaswinder gave some money to Suchha and helped him catch a bus to Mohali,” the ADCP said.

The officer further said, “Earlier, it was suspected that the attack was spontaneous as attackers had seen Thapar coming out of the Civil Hospital. However, it seems now it might be pre-planned as the involvement of at least four persons has been established.”

According to police sources, Jaswinder Singh dresses like Nihangs but has yet to join the community officially. He used to work as a helper at a typist shop on the local court complex. A few months ago, a police complaint was submitted against Sarabjit and his accomplices at the Moti Nagar police station by slum dwellers, alleging that Nihang Singhs encroached on their land to set up chhawni near Samrala Chowk, they said.

The ADCP said prima facie, all accused were furious over Thapar’s provocative speeches on social media, specifically against radical leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

The officer did not rule out more arrests in the coming days.

“ “These four accused executed the crime in conspiracy with each other. As per the joint scheme, the fourth accused (Jaswinder) was not at the crime scene. When the attack was carried out, Sarabjit and Harjot Singh escaped by taking the victim’s scooter and Jaswinder Singh, alias Sunny, helped third accomplice Sucha Singh to flee away,” Ludhiana police said in a statement.

Jaswinder was sent to a two-day police remand by a local court Thursday.

Police said section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was added to the FIR.

On July 5, three Nihangs attacked Thapar with swords and grievously injured him in full public view in Ludhiana, police said.

Thapar, who underwent multiple surgeries, has been recuperating at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana.

Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit had also visited Ludhiana, seeking an update on the investigation into the case from Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal.

After the attack, police shut Thapar’s social media pages on which he had uploaded several speeches against Sikh radicals and hardliners.