Punjab: 2 suspects in sarpanch murder case arrested
What's the story
The Moga police have arrested two suspects in the murder of Harpinder Singh, alias Happy, the sarpanch of Patto Hira Singh village. The arrests were made late on Friday night, after which the victim's family and protesters, including former Congress MLA Kulbir Singh Zira, ended their sit-in on the Baghapurana-Kotkapura road. Harpinder was shot dead around 11am on Friday outside his gym by assailants in an SUV who fired eight to 10 rounds at him, according to Hindustan Times.
Allegations and defense
AAP MLA Sukhanand accused of protecting killers
The incident has sparked a political controversy after Rupinder Kaur reportedly accused local AAP MLA Amritpal Singh Sukhanand of protecting the killers and threatening Harpinder. Sukhanand dismissed the allegations as "politically motivated" in a Facebook statement. He alleged that the murder stemmed from a domestic dispute, claiming Rupinder was in a live-in relationship with Harpinder.
Ongoing probe
Police believe murder due to personal enmity
Baghapurana DSP Dalbir Singh confirmed an FIR was filed based on a complaint from Harpinder's father, Jaswinder Singh. The complaint names four accused and six unidentified persons. Moga SSP Ajay Gandhi said Harpinder had a criminal record with 10-12 cases against him. While the report states police believe the murder was due to personal enmity, they haven't officially confirmed if the domestic dispute cited by Sukhanand is the main motive behind the crime.
Rising violence
Murder of AAP village heads in Punjab
The murder of Harpinder Singh is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, several AAP village heads were attacked in Punjab. On January 4, AAP sarpanch Jarmal Singh was killed at a wedding in Amritsar district by the Davinder Bambiha gang. On February 18, Thathian Mehta's Harbarinder Singh was shot dead at another wedding by the Lakhbir Landa gang using an AK-47.