Autorickshaw driver arrested for ‘killing’ NRI, injuring son

However, the NRI’s family suspected a conspiracy, and alleged that the autorickshaw driver could be a hired killer, acting at the behest of people with whom Jatinder had a long-standing  property dispute.

Jatinder and Rourke, both residents of California, had come to the Elante Mall for dinner. They left the mall around 10.45 pm and wanted to go to Altius hotel, where they were staying. Police said both were drunk.

They asked Irshaad, who was having tea, to drop them. Irshad asked them to wait for some time but they insisted that he take them immediately. This led to an argument.

Aman, an eyewitness, told Newsline, “I was standing near the parking lot. Two men were having an argument with an autorickshaw driver. The driver then started beating the two up with a thick wooden rod. One of the men then fell and the driver escaped, but I noted the number of his auto.”

Rourke gave a different story. “We came out of the mall and were looking for a way to reach the hotel. We had an argument with the autorickshaw driver and he left. The next thing I know, someone hit on the back of my head and then my father. We were beaten up. My father fell on the ground.”

A taxi driver who had ferried the father-son duo to Elante from Sector 17 identified them. They were rushed to GMCH-32 where Jatinder was declared dead on arrival. Rourke had a head injury and a fractured right arm.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (East) Parvinder Singh said that soon after the information of the incident was received, checking of autos was started and Irshaad arrested.

Jatinder’s relatives said he had come to the city to meet his advocate and to visit the NRI cell of the Punjab government in an effort to get back his property in Kapurthala which some people had occupied.

His cousin Paramjit Singh said Jatinder’s father was murdered about three years back and Jatinder believed that the people who had grabbed his property, which is worth Rs 20 crore, were behind it. Paramjit suspected Jatinder’s murder was also linked to the property dispute.

The police booked Irshaad for murder and attempt to murder. He was produced in court, which sent him  to police custody for two days.

Inspector Jaspal Singh, SHO of the Industrial Area police station, said that the remand was taken to investigate the family allegation that “Irshaad was hired by somebody to kill Jatinder. We are verifying facts.”