Cop shoots woman in front of her daughters

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 15

In a sensational incident, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) posted at Jamalpur police station of the Ludhiana Commissionerate shot his woman friend at Sector 32, Chandigarh road, on Tuesday. He used his service revolver to fire two shots at the victim one of which hit in her stomach. The woman was hospitalised and is reported to be out of danger. The cop was in uniform when he committed the crime.

Interestingly, after inflicting bullet injury on the woman, the ASI himself took her to the Fortis Hospital and then disappeared. The police have registered an attempt to murder case against the cop and launched a manhunt to nab him. Police Commissioner (CP) Rakesh Agrawal ordered suspension of the cop and formed a SIT for a detailed inquiry into the incident. The injured woman has been identified as Chanchal (43) while the ASI has been identified as Sukhpal Singh Sukha.

Interestingly, the incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, but it came to light on Wednesday morning when the hospital authorities sent a communication to the Jamalpur police station about woman’s admission.

Uncle shot mother in front of us: Victim’s daughters

The victim’s daughters, Riya and Khushi, told The Tribune that on Tuesday the duo was present at home while their father Sanjay Kumar was at his job in a factory. The ASI, who used to visit their house frequently came at 12.30 pm. “Our mother served tea to the ASI. Suddenly, heated arguments ensued between our mother and the ASI. We were shocked when we saw the ASI fire two shots at our mother one of which hit in her stomach. The cop then emptied his service revolver. Later, the cop himself took our mother to hospital and threatened us not to reveal anything to our father,” said vicitim’s daughters. “We kept mum for almost six hours as the ASI had warned us that if we reveal anything to our father or anyone else our parents may have to spend their life in jail,” added victim’s daughters. “The ASI had also warned our mother not to reveal anything to the police else he will kill us. But, at 7 pm we called our father and informed him about the incident. By then the cop had already escaped from the hospital,” said victim’s daughters.

ASI forcibly took thumb impression of vicitim

Jatinder, the victim’s brother, said when his sister regained consciousness, she told that ASI Sukhpal had taken her thumb impression on a white paper to prevent police action against him. The victim also told her brother that the cop had earlier taken Rs 4 lakh from her to lend it to someone on interest. “On Tuesday, the ASI asked for few more lakhs from my sister to buy a new car and when she refused, he shot her,” said victim’s brother.

ASI suspended, SIT formed to investigate the matter

Police Commissioner Rakesh Agrawal confirmed to The Tribune that ASI Sukhpal, who committed the crime with his service weapon, had been suspended after registering an attempt to murder case against him. A SIT headed by ADCP II, ACP (East) and the police station 7 SHO was formed to arrest the suspect and investigate the matter, the CP added. Once the suspect was arrested only then it would be clear why he shot at woman, the CP said.

Suspect deposited Rs 2 lakh in hospital

The ASI reportedly had an extra-marital affair with the victim, said sources in the Police Department. On Tuesday, after he shot his friend and took her to hospital, he also deposited Rs 2 lakh for her treatment, the sources added. So far, victim’s kin have not confirmed such relationship.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.