Cops solve double murder case, nab 1

Tribune News Service

Mohali, November 17

The Mohali police today claimed to have solved the 2018 double murder case of a couple in Ferozepur besides other cases with the arrest of a criminal, Ranbir, alias Bira, in a car snatching case in Kurali.

Gurdaspur resident Bira, a close associate of gangster Sukhmeetpal Singh, alias Sukh Bhikhariwal, and Supreet Singh, alias Harry Chatha, has confessed to his involvement in the crime and named some associates who were part of some major crimes in the state.

Ranbir was part of a group of assailants that killed accused-turned-approver couple in the Moga sex scandal case. Ranbir along with associates Harvinder Singh Dodhi and Bhupinder, alias Bhinda, had entered the house of Manjit Kaur and her husband Rajpreet Singh, and shot them after removing the CCTV camera. Armed with three pistols, the assailants had used a bike arranged by Dodhi. Bhikhariwal was the mastermind of the incident and had provided them with financial help, the police said.

A case under Sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC, besides 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, was registered on September 21, 2018.

On October 22, Dodhi was arrested by the Gurdaspur police. Both Dodhi and Bhinda had not disclosed their involvement in the incidents when they were arrested by the Gurdaspur police and a special task force (STF). They have, however, confessed to their involvement now.

Bira further told the police he was part of the three bike-borne attackers who freed notorious smuggler Harbhajan Singh, alias Rana, of Ferozepur from police custody at a roadside eatery near Ghall Khurd village on the Ferozepur-Moga road on August 18, 2018. They had fired on a police team, injuring one of the officials. A case was registered at Ghall Khurd police station on August 18, 2018. The conspiracy to free the smuggler was also hatched on the directions of Bhikhariwal and Chatha. They provided financial aid to them for committing the crime, claimed the police.

In 2018, Dodhi, Bhinda along with one of their associates on the directions of Chatha had tried to kidnap a doctor from Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar, but it was botched as Bhinda accidently fired from his .30 caliber pistol, injuring Dodhi and they had to flee.