Munshi shoots traffic ASI dead

Satinder Pal Singh

Dera Bassi, January 16

ASI Lakhwinder Singh Lakha, local traffic in-charge and a resident of Tripuri, Patiala, was allegedly shot dead by a munshi with a service rifle at the Dera Bassi police station on Wednesday night.

The accused munshi, Kala Khan, was arrested immediately after the incident.

There was a fight between head constable Lekh Raj and Kala Khan, both posted at the Dera Bassi police station, following a dispute over night duty hours. Sources said Kala Khan, who was reportedly under the influence of liquor, got into a heated argument with Lekh Raj and tried to hit him with a wooden plank. Lekh Raj, in order to save himself, locked himself in a room. Others intervened and pacified them.

In the meantime, traffic in-charge Lakhwinder Singh reached the police station around 9.45 pm to submit a challan. Kala Khan, in a fit of rage, picked up a service rifle and shot Lakhwinder Singh dead.

The ASI had a deep bullet wound between his chin and neck and was rushed to the Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi. He succumbed to his injuries after reaching the hospital, sources said.

Other police personnel at the police station caught hold of Khan and snatched the rifle from him. Later, they took him away for a medical examination and shifted the body to the Civil Hospital for a post-mortem.

Harmandeep Hans, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Dera Bassi, said they were yet to ascertain the cause of the crime, adding that the rifle had been seized.