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‘Had no haters’: Village grieves for property dealer killed in shoot-out

Outside his modest single-storey home, located a short distance from a gurdwara, villagers, many of whom had known him since childhood, stood in silence, mourning the loss of someone they described as the “pride of Kubaheri.”

2 min readMohaliMar 20, 2026 07:31 AM IST

Chamanpreet was shot dead in broad daylight by two assailants in Sector 9, Chandigarh on Wednesday. (File Photo)

A few kilometres off the highway, nestled near the Shivalik foothills, lies the quiet village of Kubaheri in Mohali. On Thursday, the village stood still in grief as residents gathered outside the residence of Chamanpreet Singh alias Chini, awaiting the arrival of his body after postmortem.

Chamanpreet was shot dead in broad daylight by two assailants in Sector 9, Chandigarh on Wednesday.

Outside his modest single-storey home, located a short distance from a gurdwara, villagers, many of whom had known him since childhood, stood in silence, mourning the loss of someone they described as the “pride of Kubaheri.”

“It’s not just Kubaheri village, it’s Chini’s village,” Saudagar Singh, a childhood friend and resident of the village in Majri tehsil, said. “He made the whole village proud.”

Recalling his contributions, Saudagar said Chini had organised a major wrestling competition in the village around two years ago, even inviting noted Punjabi singer and actor Babbu Mann for a performance. “He arranged everything and spent money with the support of his associates and villagers. Everyone stood by him for such a big event,” he said.

Describing his nature, Saudagar added, “I have seen him grow up. He was always supportive. Instead of rebuilding his own house first, he helped others construct rooms in their homes.”

Another villager echoed similar sentiments. “He was always smiling, greeting everyone. He had no haters in the village,” he said.

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Chini had been working as a property dealer for the past one and a half years. According to Saudagar, his routine was simple, he would travel daily to Sector 9, Chandigarh for gym, return home for meals, and then head to his office in Mohali.

His family, too, is well-regarded in the village. His father, Sant Singh, is an Army veteran who continued working in Chandigarh after retirement, while his mother serves as a panch in the village.

“We never heard of any threats to him. It is unfortunate that he was shot dead,” Saudagar added.

Satvinder Singh, Chini’s nephew, said, “I play football, and Chini always supported sports activities in the village, including football.”

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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