The Bilaspur police have arrested five individuals, including the two alleged masterminds, in connection with the brutal axe attack on a man in Bilaspur district. The accused were taken into custody from Kullu after an intensive 28-hour manhunt.
Details of the arrested
The arrested accused have been identified as Saurabh Patial, alias Phandi, Kulbhushan Thakur, alias Lucky, Dheeraj Dharmani, Surya Chandel and Anil Kumar. According to the police, Saurabh and Kulbhushan were the main conspirators behind the attack.
Incident timeline
The incident occurred on July 8 when Sunny Gill, an accused in the 2024 Bilaspur court shooting case, was being escorted for a court hearing. Near the Mandi-Bharari bridge, he was allegedly attacked with axes by several identified persons, leaving him critically injured. He was immediately shifted to AIIMS-Bilaspur, where he continues to undergo treatment.
Police investigation
Following the attack, the Bilaspur police registered a case under Sections 126(2), 115(2), 352, 352(2) and 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and launched a large-scale investigation. Multiple police teams were constituted, CCTV footage was scrutinised and technical evidence was analysed to trace the accused.
Superintendent of Police Abhishek Dhiman said the accused had meticulously planned their escape. Within 24 hours of the crime, they allegedly changed eight different vehicles, travelled only through link roads, avoided CCTV cameras and police checkpoints, hid in the dense forests of Berthin and Banjar and kept their mobile phones switched off to evade surveillance.
Arrest and further probe
Despite these efforts, investigators tracked the two main accused to Banjar in Kullu district and arrested them. Police also apprehended three others accused of providing logistical support, including arranging vehicles used during the escape. The accused are being brought to Bilaspur for further investigation. The police said the probe is continuing and all aspects of the conspiracy are being examined.
