Murder of an Aam Aadmi Party Sarpanch was reported on Tuesday i.e. 21st July in Anandgarh, a village near Hoshiarpur. According to the family, a group of armed men first got into an argument over a parked car before launching a violent assault.
When the sarpanch came outside to stop the fight, the attackers allegedly ran him over with a car, reversing it over him twice. The family further alleged that the assailants then attacked him with sharp-edged weapons. While Satpal Singh's son Rahul was taking his injured father to the hospital, another group of attackers in a Bolero SUV allegedly blocked their way and attempted another assault. Rahul managed to reverse the car and escape, but his father succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital.
Police reached the Civil Hospital in Hoshiarpur, recorded the family's statements, and launched an investigation against unidentified accused.
Attackers were armed with swords
According to eyewitness Gurinder Singh Goldy, around 15 to 20 men arrived at about 8 p.m. in an Alto and a Ford Figo, carrying sharp-edged weapons. A dispute reportedly broke out over moving a car parked outside the sarpanch's house, which quickly escalated into violence.
Run over, then attacked with sharp weapons
Rahul, the victim's son and a resident of Anandgarh village, alleged that when his father tried to intervene, the attackers repeatedly struck him with swords. Satpal Singh reportedly grabbed one of the swords with his hand in an attempt to defend himself.
The accused then allegedly drove their car over him twice by reversing and moving forward. Believing he was still alive, they allegedly got out of the vehicle and attacked him again with sharp weapons before fleeing as family members and women gathered at the scene.
Attack Continued on the Way to the Hospital
Rahul claimed that while he was rushing his father to the hospital, the accused intercepted their vehicle by blocking the road with a Bolero SUV and again attempted to attack them.
He said he reversed his car, rammed into the attackers' vehicle, and drove directly into the premises of the main police station before continuing to the hospital. However, doctors declared his father dead.
Family Names Several Suspects
According to the family, around 20 men were involved in the attack. They identified several alleged attackers, including Bhagu from Jankheri, Anku from Mehalanwali, Pankaj Pathania, and others. They also alleged that retired soldier Jassi, who is Anku's uncle, was among those who supported the attackers.
Old Rivalry Allegedly Behind the Murder
Rahul said that his father had previously mediated a dispute between youths from a neighbouring village and had helped settle the matter through a compromise.
The family alleges that the accused held a grudge over that settlement. On Tuesday, they allegedly carried out the attack in revenge by repeatedly running over the sarpanch with a car before assaulting him with swords.
Police: Some Suspects Detained
DSP City Kulbhushan Sharma said police teams reached the spot immediately after receiving the information and that some suspects have been taken into custody.
According to the preliminary investigation, the sarpanch died after being run over by a vehicle. Police are investigating the motive and examining all aspects of the case.
