Punjab RSS leader Gagneja succumbs

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 22

Senior Punjab RSS leader Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retd), 65, died at the Hero DMC Heart Institute here this morning. Shot at by unidentified assailants in Jalandhar on August 6, he was declared dead by doctors at 9.16 am. 

As news of his “deteriorating” health spread, BJP functionaries began gathering at the DMCH amid heavy police security. At 10 am, Gagneja’s wife and two daughters were seen coming out from the hospital’s Emergency gate. They were accompanied by Punjab BJP vice-president Anil Sarin and Commissioner of Police Jatinder Singh Aulakh.  They left for Jalandhar while the doctors conducted the post-mortem.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had been handed over the probe into the attack on the RSS leader after Punjab Police failed to get clues.  “The post-mortem was performed in the presence of CBI officials for security reasons,” said a BJP functionary.

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“Gagneja’s condition decli-ned in the wee hours and his blood pressure fell drastically. His intestines, liver and spine had been badly damaged,” Dr GS Wander, director of the institute, said.

Gagneja’s body was taken to Jalandhar for the last rites after Governor VP Singh Badnore visited the hospital. 

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is in Patna, termed it a huge loss. “Punjab has lost a forceful voice which articulated the concerns of the state and its people while remaining selflessly away from pubic glare and shunning personal glory,” he said.

He said the attack on Gagneja was an attempt to disturb the hard-earned peace. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also condoled the death.