AAP Functionary Gunned Down in Jalandhar; Employee's Role Under Police Scanner
The shocking murder of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) functionary Satwinderpal Singh, popularly known as Lucky Oberoi, outside a gurdwara in Jalandhar on Friday morning has sent ripples through the local political landscape. As police delve into the investigation, the role of one of Oberoi's employees has come under intense scrutiny, raising questions about internal disputes and possible motives behind the brazen daylight killing.
Employee Missing Amid Police Probe
When police officials visited the employee's residence on Friday, they discovered he was missing, with his family members unaware of his whereabouts. This development has fueled suspicions, as sources indicate the employee might have provided critical details about Oberoi's movements to the assailants. Further complicating the case, it emerged that Oberoi had physically assaulted this worker several months prior, following an incident involving drug consumption. This history of conflict has positioned the employee as a key person of interest in the ongoing murder investigation.
Fatal Attack Outside Gurdwara
The murder unfolded in a chilling sequence outside Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Model Town. After completing his prayers, Lucky Oberoi was settling into the front seat of his Mahindra Thar when a hooded assailant approached casually and opened fire at point-blank range. Simultaneously, another youth on a scooter, also wearing a hoodie, emerged from a nearby lane. The two perpetrators quickly fled the scene together, leaving Oberoi fatally wounded in a well-coordinated escape that has baffled authorities.
Facebook Claim and Political Links
Adding a dramatic twist to the case, responsibility for the murder was claimed on a Facebook account under the name 'Joga Folriwal'. The post explicitly linked the killing to the election for the students' union president at Khalsa College, suggesting possible political motivations behind the violence. Police have identified Jograj Singh, alias Joga Pholriwal, as a primary suspect, noting that he was once a close friend of Oberoi before their relationship soured into enmity.
FIR Registered Based on Family Statement
Law enforcement has formally registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Jograj Singh and an accomplice named Dalbira. This action was taken based on the statement provided by Oberoi's brother, Damandeep Singh, who asserted that both individuals had longstanding hostility toward Lucky and had previously issued threats against him. The police are now pursuing multiple angles, including personal vendettas, political rivalries, and the employee's potential involvement, as they work to unravel the complex web surrounding this high-profile murder.
Key Points in the Investigation:
- The employee's disappearance and past altercation with Oberoi are central to police suspicions.
- The Facebook claim ties the murder to college election dynamics, hinting at broader political implications.
- Witness accounts describe a meticulously planned attack with two hooded assailants making a swift escape.
- Family testimony has led to an FIR against known adversaries with a history of threats.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are combing through digital evidence, witness statements, and forensic details to piece together the events leading to Oberoi's tragic demise. The case underscores the volatile intersections of politics, personal conflicts, and criminality in the region, with the community awaiting justice for the slain AAP functionary.
