Cop shot dead in police station by ex-serviceman

Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi

Hoshiarpur, June 16

An Assistant Munshi of the Mahilpur police station here was shot dead by an ex-serviceman inside the police station around 2.50 pm today.

Accused Surinder Kumar Fauji of Ward number 11 on Baghaura road, Mahilpur city, reportedly reached the police station carrying his double-barrel gun in the afternoon. The sentry stopped him at the gate and enquired about the reason for carrying the weapon. The accused said he had come to deposit his licensed gun at the police station.

The sentry then sent him to Assistant Munshi Head Constable Amarjeet Singh. The accused reportedly had an altercation with Amarjeet Singh after which he opened fire on him in a fit of rage. 

ASI Sham Lal, who tried to overpower the accused, was also shot at, but he somehow managed to get out of the line of fire. The accused was overpowered soon thereafter. 

Amarjeet Singh was taken to the Mahilpur Civil Hospital from where he was referred to a private hospital in Hoshiarpur. The doctors present there, however, declared him “brought dead”.

Accused Surinder Kumar had retired from the Army in 2007. After his retirement, he obtained a licensed double-barrel gun and started working as a bank guard. 

According to sources, the accused is a drunkard and due to that reason, he could not have a long stint with any of his employers.

SSP J Elanchezhian said the reason behind the murder was yet to be ascertained. Asked if there was any old enmity between the two, he said, “It’s a matter of investigation.”