Police in Ludhiana have registered a case against 18 Congress party workers, including a local leader, on charges of attempted murder following violent clashes that erupted during an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) victory rally. The incident, which left five AAP supporters injured, occurred on Thursday evening and has sparked a major political controversy.
Details of the Clash and Police Action
The violence unfolded around 5:30 PM on Thursday, December 19, 2025, in the Bachitar Nagar area. AAP workers were celebrating the victory of Sukhbir Singh Khanna, who had recently defeated Congress candidate Jasbir Singh Gill in the block samiti elections. According to police, the situation escalated into a physical confrontation between the two groups.
Officials stated that an FIR has been filed under the attempt to murder charge. Three of the 18 accused have already been arrested, while the remaining are being pursued. Among the six individuals named in the FIR are Congress leader Jasbir Singh Gill, Udayvir, Ajayvir, Narinder Ninda, Tejinder Singh Laddi, and Harpal Babbu. The other twelve accused are yet to be fully identified.
Jasbir Singh Gill, who unsuccessfully contested the block samiti polls, is currently reported as absconding by the Ludhiana police.
Contradictory Narratives and Political Accusations
A video that later surfaced on social media platforms purportedly shows the incident, depicting groups from both sides attacking each other with sticks and bricks. AAP workers have alleged that Congress leader Jasbir Singh Gill opened fire at their supporters during the rally.
However, the Congress party has strongly contested the police version. Former Congress MLA from the Gill Constituency, Kuldeep Singh Vaid, presented a counter-narrative on Friday. He claimed the violence began when AAP workers misbehaved with Congress leader Pooja, a panchayat member, during their rally.
"Pooja called Gill for help. AAP workers then challenged Gill and attempted to attack him with swords, forcing him to fire on the ground in self-defence, not at anyone," Vaid stated. He accused the police of bias, alleging they booked Congress workers without registering a cross FIR against AAP workers. Vaid further claimed that Congress leader Pooja, block samiti member Tejinder Singh Laddi, and Narinder Ninda were wrongly named in the case and that Gill's wife was illegally detained.
Aftermath and Demands for Impartial Probe
The incident has intensified political tensions in the region. The district Congress unit has questioned the police action and alleged harassment of family members of its workers. The party has demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the entire sequence of events.
Local authorities are examining the viral video and other evidence as the investigation progresses. The case highlights the volatile nature of political rivalries in Punjab, especially following local election results.
