Mohali SAD chief, biker killed as SUV tyre bursts

Satinder Pal Singh
Lalru, February 14

SAD district president, Mohali (Urban), Baljit Singh Kumbra was killed while two others, including his wife Rajinder Kaur, sustained serious injuries when the driver of a Fortuner lost control over the vehicle following a tyre burst near Lalru here today.

The ill-fated Fortuner, bearing a Punjab registration number, hit the median first after its tyre burst and overturned and collided with a bike being ridden by 23-year-old Shakit Singh, a resident of Ambala, killing him on the spot.

The deceased’s wife, Rajinder Kaur, an SAD councillor, and driver Tarsem Singh have been admitted to different hospitals with serious injuries and their condition is also stated to be critical.

According to sources, the incident occurred around 4 pm when Kumbra, along with his wife Rajinder Kaur and driver Tarsem Singh, was going towards Shahbad from Mohali in his Fortuner car to attend the last rites of one of their relatives.

The sources said when they reached near Lalru, the left tyre of their Fortuner burst following which driver Tarsem lost control over the vehicle and it jumped over the median and turned turtle before hitting a motorcycle on a slip road towards Ambala. The motorcycle rider, Shakti Singh, a resident of Ambala, got crushed under the vehicle and died on the spot.

Kumbra, who was sitting on the front seat next to the driver, died instantaneously. Passersby had to struggle to take out the injured driver and the deceased’s wife Rajinder Kaur from the mangled remains of the vehicle. Both injured were first admitted to the Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi. One of them was later referred to the GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh, while the other one was admitted to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, due to their critical condition.

After receiving information, local MLA NK Sharma, along with senior SAD-Akali leaders, rushed to the spot to enquire about the incident. The Lalru police have started an investigation into the incident.

Kumbra was appointed SAD district president, Mohali (Urban) in 2017. Earlier, he also served as the senior vice-president of the urban unit of the SAD and was close to senior Akali leader and two-time MP Balwant Singh Ramoowalia.

Were on way to attend last rites of relative

According to sources, the incident occurred around 4 pm when SAD district president, Mohali (Urban), Baljit Singh Kumbra, along with his wife Rajinder Kaur and driver Tarsem Singh, was going towards Shahbad from Mohali in his Fortuner car to attend the last rites of one of their relatives. When they reached near Lalru, the left tyre of their Fortuner burst following which driver Tarsem lost control over the vehicle and it jumped over the median and turned turtle before hitting a motorcycle on a slip road towards Ambala. The motorcycle rider, Shakti Singh, a resident of Ambala, got crushed under the vehicle and died on the spot.