Punjab Police Confirm Shooter Rajan's Presence in India Through Tattoo Evidence
In a significant breakthrough, Punjab Police have officially confirmed the presence of shooter Rajan, also known as Piyush Pehalwan, within India. This confirmation came after investigators identified matching tattoos on both his arms during the ongoing probe into the murder of Yadvinder Singh in Kotkapura in 2025.
Key Evidence from CCTV Footage
According to Bikramjit Singh Brar, SP of AGTF/Derabassi, Punjab Police, while scrutinising CCTV footage from Sector 9 in Chandigarh, officers noticed distinct tattoos on the arms of the shooters involved in the crime. These tattoos were found to be identical to those known to belong to Rajan, providing strong evidence that directly links him to the murder and establishes his movements prior to the incident.
This tattoo match has been crucial in strengthening the case against Rajan, as it corroborates other investigative findings and places him at the scene of the crime.
Details of the Investigation and Interrogation
Initial investigations and interrogations of shooters Rajan and Pritam Shah have revealed that both men arrived in Chandigarh four to five days before the Sector 9 murder. During this period, they conducted reconnaissance of the victim, Chamanpreet Singh, and stayed in various locations to avoid detection.
- They alternated between staying in different hotels and at the residence of an associate.
- To evade tracking, they repeatedly changed their locations and appearance while in the city.
- They also switched phones and SIM cards multiple times during their stay.
Further investigation uncovered that Rajan had left India for Malaysia in 2023 and did not return through official channels. Police later discovered that he landed in Nepal and entered India illegally in January of this year. Additionally, officers revealed that Rajan had been in contact with gangster Lucky Patial since 2023, with weapons and logistics for the crime arranged on Patial's instructions.
Sequence of Events and Arrest
During the attack, Pritam was driving the motorcycle while Rajan fired at Chamanpreet Singh. After the murder, the duo fled towards Landran in Mohali, later abandoning the motorcycle on the outskirts of Banur. From there, they escaped in a car with an associate and headed to Kaithal.
A joint team of 20 AGTF personnel, supervised by SP Brar and supported by STF Haryana, traced the shooters to a house in Chaushala village in Kaithal. When police asked them to surrender, the accused allegedly opened fire, with a bullet striking a Punjab Police head constable. Fortunately, he escaped unharmed due to wearing a bulletproof vest. Police retaliated, firing at the shooters and injuring both in the legs before arresting them. Three pistols were recovered from their possession.
Current Status and Implications
Both Rajan and Pritam Shah are currently undergoing treatment at GMCH-32 after being referred from a Haryana hospital on Thursday, following injuries sustained during the brief encounter with police in Kaithal. This case highlights the meticulous work of Punjab Police in using physical evidence like tattoos to track and apprehend suspects involved in serious crimes.
The investigation continues as authorities delve deeper into the connections with gangster networks and the broader implications for law enforcement in the region.
