Bikram Singh Majithia lambasts Punjab govt over law and order

Patiala, January 29

As the police continue to hunt for the killers of city-based businessman Sameer Kataria (37), who was stabbed to death by three armed assailants on Passy Road during the wee hours of Sunday, the murder has snowballed into a political controversy as Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia took a jibe at the security situation in the city.

Majithia posted a video of himself on social media, in which he referred to the brutal murder of Kataria on Passy Road here. He said, “This is a posh area where many high-ranking officials reside. If such brutal crimes can be executed here, what would the situation be in other areas of the city?”

Majithia has been visiting Patiala to be present before a special investigation team (SIT) for a case against him. The SIT has been probing a case registered against Majithia by Punjab Police on December 20, 2021. After spending five months in jail, Majithia was released on bail on August 10, 2022.

The police said that Kataria was on his way home with his friend Kishan when three motorcycle-borne men attacked them when he stopped the vehicle on Passy Road. The cops added that the victim and his friend were in an inebriated state when they were attacked.

An FIR has been registered on the basis of the statement given by Sameer’s brother. The police said, “The men attacked Sameer with sharp-edged weapons and also fired gunshots even as Kishan escaped. The suspects left Sameer in a pool of blood and tried to flee with the vehicle. However, they met with an accident some 150 metres away and left the vehicle there.”

City businessman’s killing

Patiala businessman Sameer Kataria (37) was on his way to home with his friend Kishan on Sunday. Three motorcycle-borne men attacked them when Sameer stopped his vehicle on Passy Road.