The family of a former kabaddi player, who was brutally gunned down in broad daylight in Ludhiana, has taken a firm stand, refusing to perform his last rites until all the individuals named in the First Information Report (FIR) are apprehended by the police. The victim, 36-year-old Gagandeep Singh, was shot multiple times near Dana Mandi in Manuke village, Jagraon, on Monday.
A Fatal Stand Over Support to Fellow Player
The chilling murder, as per police reports, stemmed from an old rivalry and Gagandeep's support for another kabaddi player named Ekam. The incident unfolded when a group of 10 to 12 assailants attacked Gagandeep and Ekam. According to the FIR, the rival group was allegedly led by Gursewak Singh alias Mota from the same village.
Gagandeep's mother, Gurmeet Kaur, who filed the police complaint, revealed that the animosity began on December 31, when Gursewak attacked Ekam with swords. Gagandeep had intervened and objected to this violence, which made Gursewak hold a grudge against him. On the fateful day of the murder, after another altercation between Ekam and Gursewak, a group arrived on bikes and in a car. They opened fire, with Gursewak and another accused, Gurdeep Singh, allegedly shooting Gagandeep, who succumbed to three bullet injuries.
Family's Defiant Stand and Police Action
In a heart-wrenching and defiant move, the grieving family has declared they will not cremate Gagandeep's body until justice is initiated with the arrest of all the accused. "There's no question of cremating the body till all the accused are not arrested," stated Gurmeet Kaur firmly.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Jagraon, Ankur Gupta, informed that multiple police teams are conducting raids to nab the culprits. One accused, Gurdeep Singh of Badhni Kalan, Moga, has already been arrested, and the car used in the crime has been recovered. The police have registered the case under serious sections including murder, wrongful restraint, criminal intimidation, rioting, and relevant arms act provisions.
A Disturbing Pattern of Violence in Punjab
This killing marks the fourth such shooting incident in Punjab within just four days, painting a grim picture of law and order. Prior to this, a sarpanch was killed in Amritsar, a Congress worker was shot dead in Moga, and a woman was gunned down in Kapurthala.
Gagandeep's wife, Navpreet Kaur, mentioned that although her husband had stopped playing kabaddi professionally, he was actively promoting Ekam's career, which was opposed by Gursewak and his aides. In a statement, Ludhiana Rural SP (Investigation) Rajan Sharma termed the incident a "fallout of old rivalry between both groups," adding that no direct link to kabaddi tournaments has been established so far.
The tragedy in Ludhiana follows closely on the heels of the murder of another kabaddi player-promoter, Kanwar Digvijay Singh alias Rana Balachauria, in Mohali last month, raising serious concerns about the safety of individuals associated with the sport.
