Man killed, 5 injured in blast at Ludhiana court; CM Channi orders high-level probe

Nitin Jain and Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 23

A man was killed and five others injured in a blast at the district courts complex here on Thursday.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said no one shall be allowed to disturb the hard earned peace of Punjab.

He has announced free treatment for all five persons injured in a blast that took place in gents toilet on second floor of District Courts Complex.

Besides, the CM has also ordered a high level probe to crack the case.

The injured have been identified as: Sandeep Kaur (31), a resident of Raikot (Ludhiana), Sharanjit Kaur (25), resident of Jamalpur Ludhiana. Both are undergoing treatment at Civil Hospital Ludhiana.

Manish Kumar (32), resident of Police Colony Jamalpur, Ludhiana, is undergoing treatment at CMC Ludhiana, Kuldeep Singh Mand (50) of Bindra Ban Road, Ludhiana, is undergoing treatment at DMC Ludhiana and Krishan Khanna (75) of Phase 1, Dugri, is also undergoing treatment at DMC Ludhiana.

The blast took place in a toilet on the third floor in the old building around 12.25 pm. Two courtrooms are located near the toilet.

The blast damaged the roof and walls of the toilet. Following the explosion, the bathroom grill fell on the vehicles parked on the ground floor.

Hundreds of litigants with their attendants visit the court complex daily. Luckily, lawyers' chambers are located in the new building.

While speaking to mediapersons, the CM said the intelligence agencies and Punjab Police is working on all theories and would soon crack this case.

While terming it as an unfortunate incident, the CM said that prima facie, it seems that the deceased person was the perpetrator of this crime.

He said that the body has not been removed from the site so that investigation and crime scene is not tempered with. He said a high-level probe has been ordered and all government agencies would unearth the truth in this case soon.

He added that all five injured persons are out of danger and are undergoing treatment in different hospitals of the city. The CM has also announced free treatment of all the injured persons.

Since lawyers were observing a strike on Thurday, there was not much footfall of litigants and their attendants at the court.

Disturbing news of a blast at Ludhiana court complex. Saddened to know about the demise of 2 individuals, Praying for the recovery of those injured. @PunjabPoliceInd must get to the bottom of this.

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 23, 2021

The entire court complex was vacated, and the judges suspended their work.

Channi, Sidhu, Amarinder, Kejriwal, Bittu condemn blast at Ludhiana court

 “I want to reiterate that we would not let any person disturb the hard earned peace and communal harmony of the state,” said the CM, while adding that they would soon unmask the agencies who want to disturb Punjab ahead of the Assembly elections.

Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar is leading the investigation as forensic experts and dog squads also reached the spot. Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma also reached the spot.

A very horrific incident has happened in the Ludhiana district court complex. I request everyone to stay strong & safe while police investigates cause of the blast. It is very early to assess damage but i assure everyone we will do everything to get to the bottom of this incident

— Ravneet Singh Bittu (@RavneetBittu) December 23, 2021

Commissioner Bhullar said the deceased was being identified to ascertain how and why he reached the blast spot.

The use of IED in the blast is suspected.

The District Administrative Complex was evacuated on directions of the Deputy Commissioner. All government offices in the district would be thoroughly checked, the DC said.

After the CM and Deputy CM, PPCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu also visited DMC and Civil Hospital in Ludhiana to meet those injured in the blast.

All four adjoining six-storey buildings of the district courts complex have been cordoned off with heavy police force deployed there.

The NIA has rushed a two-member team from Chandigarh to probe the incident.

Channi said as the Assembly elections in the state were approaching, some anti-national elements were indulging in terror activities.

“Since they failed to succeed in their nefarious designs while  committing the recent sacrilege incidents, they are now creating terror,” he said.

Channi said stern action would be taken against those trying to disturb law and order in the state.

Cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who is a local MLA, suspected a suicide bomber behind the blast. He visited the spot.

Meanwhile, a major security lapse has come to fore as entry and exit to district courts complex remained unchecked and free for all. Having multiple entrance points, around five, the old building of the district courts complex has no metal detectors working to check the entry of anti-social elements.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa accompanied by DGP S Chattopadhyay visited the blast site and took stock of the situation.

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