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Firing at businessman’s house in Sec 5: NIA’s protected witness turns hostile

Accused shown twice on video call after adjusting hairstyle, yet witness refuses identification

3 min readChandigarhDec 7, 2025 10:30 AM IST

In a setback for the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a protected witness in the firing case Sector-5 businessman firing case allegedly involving gangster Goldy Brar, turned hostile during court proceedings on Friday.

Despite being one of the most crucial witnesses who had been granted special security by court orders, he refused to identify the accused who allegedly sheltered two shooters after the attack.

The witness’s testimony was recorded inside a Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre, a specially designated closed room where he could not be seen by anyone. To ensure the accused could not see him either, the identification process was conducted via video call from the jail. However, the witness refused to identify accused Prem Singh even after three separate video call attempts. The first time the accused’s hairstyle looked different, prompting a second call. The accused was then instructed to adjust his hair upwards to match earlier footage. Still, the witness claimed he could not recognise him. A third video call also failed to yield identification.

The case traces back to January 19, 2024, when the associates of Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar fired shots at a businessman’s house in Sector 5, Chandigarh, with one bullet striking a parked car. According to NIA investigations, Brar’s associates were targeting affluent businessmen across Punjab, Chandigarh, and beyond for extortion, resorting to violence or threats if demands were not met.

Till date, eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the case: Gurwinder Singh Laddy, Kashi Singh, Shubham Kumar Giri, Amritpal Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, Prem Singh, Sarbjeet Singh, and Gagandeep Singh. Only Brar and Goldy Dhillon remain at large.

Why the witness was crucial

The witness had told the investigating agency that Amritpal and Kamalpreet arrived at his house visibly nervous and “admitted” they had fired at a Sector-5 residence on Brar’s directions. He asked them to leave immediately. After some time, Prem Singh arrived in a white Verna to pick them up. The shooters left their motorcycle behind and left with him. Based on this information, the NIA made the witness a key prosecution witness.

Court uses voice-altering device for the first time

For the first time, the district court used a voice-altering device to protect a witness. While the witness spoke normally from behind a curtain, his voice reached the judge and lawyers in a thin, distorted tone. The security protocol was necessary because 23 witnesses in the case face threats from Brar. All statements from these protected witnesses are being recorded behind closed doors.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

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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