Indian origin businessman murdered in Britain

LONDON - A promising young businessman of Indian origin was found murdered in the boot of a burning car in London, police said.

Two people were arrested in connection with the case.

Gagandip Singh, 21, was president of the British and Sikh Student Federation and one of the owners of new broadcaster Sikh TV, the Daily Mail reported Monday.

Neighbours Sunday night suggested that his death may be linked to the murder of his father in India two years ago.

Police did not say if this is part of their ongoing probe.

Friends described the entrepreneur as a rising star in the Sikh community of his hometown in southeast London and a “politician in the making”.

Detectives are questioning a 19-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man on suspicion of murder, the Mail reported citing the Scotland Yard.

His body was discovered with serious head injuries after a fierce blaze ripped through the dumped Mercedes in south London, the report said.

Singh’s father, Charanjit Singh, was shot dead in the Indian state of Punjab in 2009 outside a hotel.

Indian Police believe the wealthy businessman was the victim of a contract killing after he had travelled to the subcontinent for a wedding.

Since his father’s death, it is believed he had taken over the role of head of the family and was even in the process of arranging his sister’s marriage.

A source close to the family said: “This was brutal. Absolutely brutal, the way he was killed. To be put in a boot and it to be set on fire is terrifying and horrific.”

“He is the owner of Sikh TV and very influential, and very prominent in the Sikh community. When his father died he had to pick everything up.”

“The entire family is 110 per cent distraught,” the source added.

Police found the burning blue Mercedes C-class car in a quiet lane off a dual carriageway in Blackheath early Sunday and called the fire brigade. The victim was found inside the car a short while later.

Detective chief inspector Damian Allain, from the Metropolitan Police Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: “We are appealing for anyone who was in or around the Angerstein Lane area that may have seen this car either arrive or seen anyone acting suspiciously as the car was left ablaze to contact us.”

“We already know that the car was last seen around 5.30 p.m. in southeast London, so we are also appealing to anyone who can help us identify how the car came to be in Angerstein Lane.”