Congress legislator booked after man dies in clash

MOHALI - Police have booked Balbir Singh Sidhu, a Congress legislator from the Punjab town of Kharar, his brother and four others after a clash between two groups left a 52-year-old man dead and five injured, police said here Monday.

According to police, the deceased was identified as Rattan Singh. The incident took place in Bariali village of Mohali district.

“The families of Rattan Singh and village sarpanch (headman) Kulwant Singh had an old animosity. On Saturday night, Harjinder Singh, Rattan’s son, parked his vehicle in front of the Kulwant’s house that led to a heated argument between the two families,” said a police complaint.

“Following this Kulwant brought out a pistol and started firing at Rattan’s family members. A bullet hit Rattan in his head and he died on the spot. Five other family members, including Rattan’s son, daughter and sister, sustained splinter injuries,” it added.

Police said Kulwant is a close friend of legislator Sidhu and he and his son escaped from the spot in Sidhu’s official car. Police sources said Kulwant and Sidhu are partners in the liquor trade.

The deceased Rattan, who was backed by the Akali Dal, had fought sarpanch elections against Kulwant but lost them.

“They had attacked us on the behest of MLA Sidhu. Earlier also, they had threatened to kill us,” alleged Harjinder.

Mohali police have constituted a special investigation team, led by superintendent of police (detective) to look into the matter.

However, Sidhu said it was a political conspiracy against him. “I was not even in town when this incident happened. This incident is politically motivated and an attempt of other political parties to malign my image,” said Sidhu here Monday.