In a major burglary, thieves targeted the government-run Panchayat Marriage Palace at Dhandra village under Ludhiana's Sadar police station, built under the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scheme. They made off with goods worth lakhs of rupees, including 125 ceiling fans, a heavy-duty inverter, a solar battery, and aluminum doors and windows.
Discovery of the Theft
Balwinder Singh, the 56-year-old village watchman, discovered the break-in on July 22 when he inspected the premises. He found locks broken and a large number of items missing from the hall and rooms. His inquiries led him to believe that three local men had broken into the palace late on the night of July 21.
Stolen Items
The thieves stripped the marriage palace of 125 ceiling fans, large solar panels, a 50 kW inverter system, 10 large searchlights, aluminum gates, doors, windows, four office windows, two kitchen gates, the main iron gate of the big hall, 40 water taps, submersible pipes, 50 aluminum plates of false ceiling, and 16 iron chairs.
Police Action and Accused
Based on the watchman's complaint and preliminary investigation, the police registered a case against three accused: Jagpreet Singh of Sarpanch Colony, Dhandra Road; Lovepreet Singh of Manakwal; and Vikramjeet of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Dhandra Road. Investigating officer Sub-Inspector Balwinder Singh is leading the investigation, and raids are underway at possible hideouts to arrest the accused and recover the stolen government property.
