Seven booked for killing sarpanch
Mohit Khanna
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, February 21
Student leader-turned-Congress sarpanch Rajwinder Singh alias Ravi Khwajke sustained nine bullet shots which led to his death, stated doctors who carried out his post-mortem examination today.
Following the autopsy, Khwajke’s body was handed over to the family. Thereafter, it was taken to his native village where it was cremated amid tight security.
Meanwhile, the city police have booked seven persons in the case. The accused are Dharminder Singh Ghuggni (who is in Ludhiana jail), Divinder Singh, Avtar Singh, Navpreet Singh Cheema, Karmveer Singh, Jassi and Mandip Singh.
Notably, Avtar Singh, Davinder and two others were captured on a CCTV camera while shooting at the duo. After the attack, they danced around the victims and escaped while firing in the air.
Raids are being conducted to arrest the accused. Sources said about 50 rounds were fired during the wedding. The accused were booked on the complaint Khwajke’s uncle Harpal Singh. He alleged one of the accused, Dharminder Singh Guggni, and his accomplices had shot dead Shinda Sangowalia at Kohara in 2012. Guggni was arrested in this case and had a grudge against Rajwinder for pursuing the case, he alleged.
Was a gang war, say cops
Police sources said it was a gang war as the accused wanted to avenge the killing of notorious gangster Kala Hawas, who was allegedly shot dead by Khwajke and his brother Sandeep Grewal in September 2014. Rajwinder had recently got a clean chit in the murder case.
Khwajke and Kala Hawas were rivals and were allegedly running different gangs.
Both of them were involved in student politics. Initially, they operated together but later, they parted ways and turned bitter enemies.
They have many cases registered against them. Recently on January 5, Khwajke was arrested for possessing an illegal weapon.
The police suspected that Khwajke had links with drugs and arms smuggling racket. However, Khwajke got bail.