The family of Prabhpreet Singh, one of the three suspects arrested in connection with an alleged IED-related case in Chandigarh, has spoken out following the police action.
Prabhpreet's grandmother, Diljit Kaur, said the family had no indication that he could be involved in any such serious activity. She said the arrest came as a shock to the family, which learned about the development through a phone call and people in the neighbourhood.
According to the family, Prabhpreet had been staying with his grandmother and was earning a living through daily-wage work.
Diljit Kaur said Prabhpreet left home at around 2 pm two days ago. She said he told the family that he was going with someone to help get medicines for his father and would return shortly.
The family expected him to come back and later visit Shaheeda Sahib. However, he did not return.
As the hours passed, the family became increasingly worried. By night, they were still waiting for him. Later, they received information over the phone that Prabhpreet had allegedly been arrested by the police. Neighbours and relatives also informed the family about the arrest.
His grandmother said she was not aware at the time of the arrest of the exact allegations against him or what the police claimed to have recovered from his possession.
According to the family, Prabhpreet had been living with his grandmother for the past around three months. Diljit Kaur said he had also stayed with her for several years earlier.
She said Prabhpreet worked as a daily-wage labourer and would often accompany masons to construction sites for work.
The family said that after Prabhpreet's father died, his mother remarried, following which he spent considerable time with his grandmother.
Speaking emotionally, Diljit Kaur said the family had never imagined that Prabhpreet could become involved in such a serious case.
She said the family wanted him to focus on his education and build a better future. According to her, they had been trying to guide him towards a stable life.
The grandmother said she was deeply shocked to learn that the young man she knew as a daily-wage worker had been arrested in connection with a serious case involving alleged explosives.
Chandigarh Police have arrested Prabhpreet Singh alias Prabh along with two other suspects, identified as Lovepreet Singh and Jashanpreet Singh alias Jashandeep.
Police claim that approximately 5 kilograms of gelatin-stick explosives, detonators, a power source, a remote-operated system, a pistol, a magazine and five live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
Police have also alleged that the three suspects were in contact with Satnam alias Satta Naushehra, who they claim is linked to the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and is based abroad.
According to the police, the investigation is examining the alleged plan to place an IED in Chandigarh and other related aspects of the case.
The allegations against the arrested suspects remain part of the ongoing police investigation. No final conclusion regarding their culpability can be drawn until the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings are completed.
For Prabhpreet's family, however, the arrest has brought shock and uncertainty.
Diljit Kaur appealed that if Prabhpreet has committed any wrongdoing, he should face the law, but should also be given an opportunity to reform and rebuild his life.
The grandmother said she never expected the situation to reach this point and remains deeply distressed by the allegations surrounding her grandson.
