In an untoward incident, a senior police officer was found dead in Punjab's Amritsar on Friday morning. It has been reported that the Assistant Sub Inspector, identified as Saroop Singh, who had been posted to the city's Nawad Pind police station, left his home at 9 pm on Thursday. His phone was switched off about 30 minutes later.
As per media reports, Saroop Singh was going to clock-in for his shift when bike-borne attackers shot and killed him. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.
A murder case has been registered against unknown persons, Charges have also been filed under the Arms Act.
An investigation is underway.
Political reactions on the death
The sudden death of the ASI has sparked a polittical controversy.
Holding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accountable for the unforunate incident, Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia launched a verbal attack on him.
"Look at the situation in Punjab... ASI Saroop Singh... shot dead by unknown assailants this morning when he was going to the High Court as part of his duty... Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann insisted on showing his enthusiasm by holding an event first at PAP Ground Jalandhar, then PAU Ludhiana... while murders, extortions, robberies (take place) in Punjab."
The opposition Congress' youth wing also hit out at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.
In a post on X, the Punjab Youth Congress shared a video clip from a local channel and declared: "Murder of ASI! If those who maintain law and order in Punjab are not safe, what will happen to the common people?"
