1 injured as gunman of IAS officer opens fire, police launch probe

A man was seriously injured after the personal gunman of Punjab cadre IAS officer Babita Kaler opened fire during a land dispute in the Choti Baradari area near PIMS Hospital here on Saturday.

The injured has been identified as Harpreet Singh, who was shot in the thigh and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.

According to initial reports, Harpreet and his associates had arrived at the plot to start soil filling when the dispute broke out. The plot is located opposite the residence of Stephen Kaler, husband of Babita Kaler, and a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party in Jalandhar Rural.

Eyewitnesses and the plot owners alleged that there was an attempt to forcibly stop their work and take over the plot. As tensions escalated, Stephen Kaler came to the spot along with his government-appointed gunman. Moments later, the gunman, identified as Ashwini, opened fire.

The plot owners claimed that the firing was unprovoked and that they were simply filling soil on their property when they were confronted and attacked.

Stephen Kaler, however, denied the allegations and said his gunman fired in self-defence. “We told them to first speak to the actual plot owner. I even helped them contact the owner and went back inside. Meanwhile, they started abusing and attacking the gunman, forcing him to fire in self-defence,” said Stephen while addressing mediapersons.

ACP, Model Town, Roopdeep Kaur confirmed that a bullet was fired from a government-issued weapon and that a cartridge shell was recovered from the scene. “One person was injured and the gunman has been rounded up. We are investigating the matter. Further action will be taken based on the findings,” she said.

The police are analysing CCTV footage from the area and recording statements from both parties to determine the exact sequence of events.