The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has released a sketch of one of the suspected assailants and announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murder of senior Namdhari sect leader Avtar Singh Tari, nearly 16 years after the crime.
Background of the Murder
Avtar Singh Tari, a 57-year-old resident of Mohali and a close associate of Sant Jagtar Singh, was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne attackers using an AK-47 rifle on April 12, 2011, on the Katani Kalan-Chandigarh main road near Ludhiana. He was driving from Mohali to Bhaini Sahib when he suspected he was being followed. He stopped briefly at a relative's shop in Katani Kalan, and as he stepped out, the assailants opened fire, killing him instantly. Investigators found that 11 rounds were fired at the scene.
CBI Investigation and Reward
The CBI registered a case (RC 05120 1750004) on January 1, 2017, taking over the investigation from local police. In a recent communique, the agency stated, "The CBI hereby declares a reward of Rs 2 lakh to any person who can provide credible information leading to the solving of the murder case and apprehension of the accused." The identity of informants will be kept confidential. The public is urged to contact the investigating officer or supervisory officer at the CBI office in Sector 30-A, Chandigarh.
Suspect Description and Prior Attacks
According to the CBI, one suspect was wearing a white kurta-pyjama with a white parna (headgear), while the other wore green trousers. Investigations revealed that Avtar Singh had survived at least two prior attacks, with cases registered in Mohali. The murder was initially linked to a succession dispute within the 209-year-old Namdhari sect. Police had registered a case at Sahnewal police station against Thakur Dalip Singh and two unidentified persons based on a complaint by Avtar Singh's brother-in-law, Balwant Singh. Thakur Dalip Singh, a nephew of then-sect chief Satguru Jagjit Singh, later became the head of a rival breakaway faction in Sirsa, Haryana.
