Three Indian Nationals Under Investigation in Italy for Gurdwara Double Homicide
In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the Indian diaspora in Italy, three Indian nationals are now under formal investigation for the brutal murder of two Indian Sikh men outside a gurdwara in Bergamo. The tragic event, which unfolded last Friday, appears to have been sparked by a bitter feud over succession plans for the management of the religious institution.
Surrender and Investigation Details
According to the Carabinieri, Italy's military police, two of the Indian nationals voluntarily handed themselves in at the Bergamo Provincial Command on the evening of April 18. They were accompanied by their legal counsel during this critical step. Prosecutor Dr. Fabio Magnolo conducted thorough questioning of the two men, who were subsequently released but remain under active investigation for their alleged complicity in the double homicide.
The individuals identified are Sukhjinder Singh, commonly known as "Kala," and Yovanpreet Singh Dhillon, as reported by the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera." Both reside in Antegnate, a location that also houses the primary suspect, who is still at large and has been confirmed as an Indian national by authorities.
Victims and the Fatal Incident
The victims, Rajinder Singh, aged 47 from Covo, and Gurmit Singh, aged 48 from Agnadello, were both fathers of three and hailed from Punjab, India. They were mercilessly gunned down at approximately 11:50 PM local time on April 17, right before the gates of Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji in Covo, Bergamo.
Eyewitness accounts describe a harrowing scene where the gunman, a regular worshipper at the gurdwara, performed a disturbing ritual by bending down to touch the ground before brandishing a pistol. He then fired around a dozen bullets, first targeting Rajinder and then Gurmit, resulting in their immediate deaths. At the time of the attack, the two men were engaged in discussions about plans for the upcoming Vaisakhi festival celebration, which has since been cancelled in the wake of the tragedy.
Following the shooting, the assailant swiftly escaped in a BMW vehicle, accompanied by another car carrying additional Indian men, leaving the community in a state of shock and grief.
Background of the Feud and Victims' Lives
Rajinder Singh, a former president of the gurdwara who had stepped down at the end of the previous year, was a farmer and owned a fruit and vegetable shop. He had been embroiled in a contentious dispute with a rival faction based in Antegnate over control and management of the temple, which is believed to be the root cause of the violence.
His family, including his widow Pawandeep, aged 40, and three sons aged 17, 15, and 3, are now grappling with immense loss. The elder sons revealed that their father had previously been threatened with a gun near the gurdwara last November by the same individual suspected in his murder, and a formal police complaint had been filed at that time.
Gurmit Singh, who worked for a meat-processing company and held no official position within the gurdwara, leaves behind two sons aged 25 and 27, as well as a 26-year-old daughter residing in India. His untimely death has added to the sorrow of the community.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The autopsies for both victims are scheduled to take place on Thursday, as part of the ongoing investigation to gather further evidence and clarify the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Italian authorities continue to pursue the third suspect, who remains at large, while the two who surrendered face serious charges related to the double homicide.
This incident highlights not only a tragic loss of life but also underscores the complexities within diaspora communities, where internal disputes can escalate into violence, even in foreign lands. The Indian community in Italy and beyond awaits justice for the victims and their families.
