Gangster Sukh Bhikhariwal deported from Dubai, arrested in Delhi

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 31

The Delhi Police today arrested Sukhmeet Pal Singh, alias Sukh Bhikhariwal, prime suspect in the Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh’s killing case, after he was deported from Dubai. The gangster is linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence.

Ferozepur DIG HS Mann said efforts would be made to bring him on a production warrant. Bhikhariwal was remanded in judicial custody following interrogation by the Delhi Police.

Police investigations suggest Balwinder was gunned down by Gurjeet Singh, alias Bhaa, and Sukhdeep Singh of Gurdaspur at Bhikhariwal’s behest.

Bhaa and Sukhdeep were arrested by the Delhi Police along with three Kashmir residents — Shabbir Ahmad, Ayub Pathan and Riyaz — in the Shakarpur area of the Capital on December 7. The Delhi Police had claimed they had arrested five members of banned terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa after a brief exchange of fire.

Bhaa and Sukhdeep had reportedly admitted before the special cell of the Delhi Police to having shot Balwinder at his residence-cum-school on October 16.

While the Tarn Taran Police had said Balwinder was killed by gangsters owing to personal enmity of his son, the Delhi Police had claimed Pakistan was using Punjab-based gangsters for targeted killings. The family of the deceased had also claimed the incident was the handiwork of a militant outfit.

The Delhi Police had said Bhikhariwal asked his accomplices to kill Balwinder at the behest of his handlers based in Pakistan, supported by the ISI. Bhikhariwal was also wanted by the Punjab Police in the alleged killing of a Hindu leader’s aide in Gurdaspur.

Bhikhariwal was arrested in Dubai after a red-corner notice was issued against him. He was deported from the United Arab Emirates today.

The Tarn Taran Police were yet to get the custody of Bhaa and Sukhdeep after a Delhi court refused its plea in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the court has asked the police to question them through videoconferencing.