Panch arrested for assaulting woman, husband

A case of assault has emerged from Rihana Jattan, a village near Phagwara, where a local panchayat member allegedly attacked a woman and her disabled husband during a dispute over property. The incident, partially captured on video, went viral on social media, prompting swift police action.

Victim Baljit Kaur alleged that the altercation began when her neighbour Gurpreet Singh, also known as Gopi, who is a panchayat member in the village, began encroaching her area. Kaur said she objected and asked the labourers to stop the work.

In CCTV camera, Gurpreet is seen chasing Baljit Kaur with a cement trowel, striking her multiple times on the head. Her husband, who is physically challenged and confined to a wheelchair, was also attacked when he tried to intervene. Members of the assailant’s own family can be seen in the footage, attempting to restrain him.

In the video, lasting over six minutes, Gurpreet appears to threaten her. The woman pleads for help and calls for the incident to be recorded, insisting that he had previously attempted to harm her family.

“This is not the first time he has behaved violently,” Baljit Kaur told reporters. “Just a month ago, he tried to attack us. This time, he did not hesitate to hit even my disabled husband.”

The video spread rapidly across social media platforms, sparking outrage and leading to immediate police intervention. Station House Officer (SHO) Major Singh of Rawalpindi police station confirmed that an FIR has been registered, and the accused was taken into custody on the same day.

“The accused has been arrested and will be presented before the court. We are seeking remand for further investigation,” SHO Singh said.