In a chilling echo of a past crime, the brutal murder of businessman Parry Singh in Chandigarh's Sector 70 has drawn stark parallels to the 2022 killing of another prominent city figure, Sanjeev Naulta. Police investigators have now identified a key suspect, pointing towards a potential gangland conflict spilling onto the streets of the planned city.
Parallels to a Past Assassination
The modus operandi in Parry Singh's killing has sent shockwaves through the police department due to its resemblance to the Naulta case. On the evening of March 30, 2024, Singh was ambushed by assailants near his residence. The attackers, much like in the Naulta hit, used a barrage of bullets fired at close range from sophisticated weapons, indicating a planned execution.
Sanjeev Naulta, a well-known property dealer, was gunned down in a similarly brazen manner in October 2022 in Sector 44. Both victims were shot multiple times in their vehicles by attackers lying in wait. This pattern has led the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed for Parry's case to seriously consider a connection, suggesting the involvement of organized criminal elements settling scores.
The Investigation and Key Suspect
Chandigarh Police, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Kumar, has made significant headway. Through technical surveillance and intelligence gathering, they have zeroed in on a primary suspect. While the name has not been officially released to the public, sources indicate the individual is a known criminal with links to interstate gangs.
The investigation is exploring multiple angles, including business rivalries and past enmities. However, the precision of the attack strongly suggests professional hitmen were involved. Police are scrutinizing the movement of suspects and the source of the weapons used, believed to be country-made pistols of a high caliber.
Implications and Ongoing Probe
The twin specters of the Parry and Naulta murders have raised serious concerns about gang-related violence in Chandigarh. The police are now tasked with not just solving a single homicide but potentially dismantling a network responsible for targeted killings. The SIT is cross-referencing details from both cases, looking for common suspects, weapon signatures, and logistical support used in the crimes.
The police have registered a case under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, along with the Arms Act. Authorities are confident that the identification of the key suspect is a major breakthrough and expect to make arrests soon. They have also increased patrolling and are conducting vehicle checks in sensitive areas to prevent any further escalation.
As the probe intensifies, the business community and residents of sectors 70 and surrounding areas remain on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to a case that has uncomfortably mirrored a dark chapter from the city's recent past.
