Punjab AAP leader shot dead outside gurdwara in Jalandhar’s Model Town

AAP leader Lucky Oberoi was shot dead early Friday morning outside a gurdwara in the posh Model Town locality of Jalandhar. He received four gunshots and was taken to a private hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A sewadar at the gurdwara said, "Lucky Oberoi was a regular visitor who came every morning. He had paid obeisance and had just sat in his Thar. He was still putting on his shoes in the vehicle when he was gunned down by youths riding an Activa."

He added, "There were two programmes being organised in the gurdwara premises at that time, including an Anand Karaj ceremony. When the gunshots were fired, everyone inside the gurdwara initially thought they were fireworks by the wedding party. It was only minutes later that everyone realised these were gunshots."

AAP Jalandhar Cantt halqa incharge Rajwinder Thiara said that it was Oberoi’s daily routine to visit the gurdwara and that the assailants appeared to be aware of his movements.

The incident occurred around 8 am. Oberoi suffered bullet injuries to the chest and head. He was a financier by profession. His wife, Simarjot Kaur, had unsuccessfully contested the councillor’s elections from the area on an AAP ticket in December 2024.

Investigation teams reached the spot soon after the incident and gathered all clues. CCTV footage from various locations in and around the area has been secured to identify the assailants.

Meanwhile, the Sheru gang has taken responsibility for the attack.

According to the investigation, the accused had allegedly been threatening the victim over the appointment of the student president at Lyallpur Khalsa College. Lucky Oberoi had recently facilitated the appointment and had been receiving threats since then.

Oberoi had even taken a weapon licence in view of the threats but was not carrying when he visited the gurdwara this morning.

DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav visited the spot and held a meeting with commissionerate officers to review the investigation so far. Accompanied by CP Dhanpreet Kaur, he said that CM Bhagwant Mann was personally monitoring the case and was being updated on the developments.

“Investigation is being conducted in a professional and scientific manner. We are tracking all forward and backward movements of the suspects via CCTV footage,” he said. He added that the police teams had collected mobile tower dumps to advance the investigation through technical analysis.

“All theories of crime are being thoroughly investigated,” the DGP added. On a query about the role of Joga Pholriwal, he said, “We are tracking all social media posts and getting the IP addresses. We do not rule out personal vendetta. So far, we cannot see an organised crime angle, but there was involvement of criminals.”

He added that social media was being used for glorification of crime and that under Section 79B of the IT Act, the state police had got 8,000 URLs removed from social media.

Though reports of a killer from Central Town have been doing the rounds, the DGP said, “We are in the process of identification.” Regarding the weapon used, he said, “We shall give details about that later. But post Operation Sindoor, there has been a 400 per cent increase in weapon smuggling from Pakistan via drones and other consignments. Glock pistols and other sophisticated weapons are being sent to India.”

Asked about the increasing involvement of college student unions, the DGP said, “This is one area that needs to be worked upon.”

On being quizzed about Lucky Oberoi’s alleged involvement with bad elements as claimed by his rivals, Yadav said, “No one has the right to take anyone’s life. We shall bring the accused to book and give justice to the family.”

An FIR has been registered under Sections 103(1), 3(5), and 61(2) of the BNS and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act at the Division 6 police station in Jalandhar Commissionerate.