Retired cop, a murder bid convict, kills wife in Mohali

Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 7

A former Punjab Police head constable, who had retired from the UT while on deputation, allegedly killed his 69-year-old wife by repeatedly banging her head against the floor at their house in Phase XI this morning.

After the incident, suspect Kartar Singh Riar (70) locked the room from inside but was arrested two hours later from near the body of his wife. The deceased has been identified as Kuldeep Kaur.

Eyewitnesses said Gurdaspur native Kartar was sitting on a blood-splattered floor near the body when the police broke open the door.

Sources said the duo had strained relations. The couple had been arguing since morning after their younger son, employed in the Mohali Police Headquarters, left for work. When neighbours heard commotion from the house, they informed the son. He sent an acquaintance to the house, who informed him about the incident.

“On a complaint of the deceased’s son, a case of murder has been registered. The body was sent to the Phase 6 Civil Hospital for autopsy,” said Mohit Singla, SHO, Phase XI.

In 2017, Kartar had shot at his brother-in-law, Tirlok Singh, over a familial dispute. He was later convicted in an attempt-to-murder case. After a truce was struck by the couple, Kartar had come out of the jail after four years on a parole four months ago, said the police. The couple’s elder son is in Australia at present.