A 39-year-old photographer was shot dead by occupants of a Hyundai Creta near Ludhiana Railway Station late Monday night following a road rage spat, while his friend suffered a bullet injury to his hand, police said on Tuesday.
The Creta occupants, however, allegedly chased the Brezza, pulled up alongside it and opened fire at the vehicle near JMD Mall, opposite Ludhiana Railway Station. Sonu, who was sitting in the rear seat, suffered a gunshot wound to the neck and died. His friend Sanjeev Kumar sustained a bullet injury to his hand, the police added. Prima facie, there was a spat over giving way to a vehicle, which led to firing. The victim and his friend were travelling in their car and were returning from a birthday party. Their other friends were also travelling in other vehicles, including an Activa. The two-wheeler accidentally brushed against the Creta, leading to an argument. CCTV footage and other evidence are being examined to identify and trace the suspects,” the ADCP added. The two groups had initially settled the dispute, but the accused allegedly returned and resumed the argument.”
The incident, the second fatal shooting reported in the city in 10 days, has led to the police rounding up three suspects. Additional deputy commissioner of police (city 1) Sameer Verma said, “The two groups did not appear to know each other and the firing seems to be a fallout of a road rage incident. “We have registered a murder case at Division Number 1 police station against three identified accused and their unidentified accomplices. Inspector Ashwani Kumar, SHO of Division Number 1 police station, said, “The Creta did not have a registration number plate.
The incident stemmed from a spat that began after a two-wheeler travelling with Sonu’s group accidentally brushed against the Creta near the Clock Tower, according to police. The two groups argued over giving way and the vehicles brushing each other, but the dispute was initially settled, police said.
The spat escalated before the occupants of the Creta opened fire, killing Sonu and injuring his friend.
The victim, Harminder Singh, alias Sonu Badhan, a resident of New Ashok Nagar near Khajoor Chowk in Salem Tabri, was returning from a birthday party in a Maruti Suzuki Brezza with his friends when the occupants of the Creta allegedly opened fire at them.
