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UT Judge knifed to death in Patiala
Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 14
Mr Vijay Singh, Presiding Officer, Labour Court, Chandigarh, was murdered by unidentified persons in the local Polo Ground, here situated at stone’s throw from the New Moti Bagh residence of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in the high-security area, late last night when he was taking a walk there alone.

Mr Vijay Singh, who held the rank of Additional Sessions Judge and was son of former chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), late Mr Amarjit Singh, was stabbed repeatedly on all parts of his body. His body was found in the Polo Ground by his friends. More than 16 wounds of a sharp-edged weapon were on the body.

Before the arrival of the police on the scene of crime friends of the deceased had taken his body to a private hospital.

The police has launched an intensive search to nab the accused. Fear gripped this town after the news of murder of the young judicial officer spread. Residents expressed anger over deteriorating law and order situation in the town.

Mr A.S. Rai, SSP, said four persons had been rounded up so far, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by SP (City) Kaustab Sharma had been constituted to probe the crime. He said this could be the outcome of professional or personal enmity.

He added that Mr Vijay Singh was provided with Punjab Police security cover of three gunmen. He was not accompanied by any gunmen while taking walk in the Polo Ground. A case in this connection has been registered.

Mr Vijay Singh, who had topped the list of successful candidates of the Punjab Judicial Services (PJS) examination when his father was chairman of the PPSC, was talking on his mobile phone with a friend when he was attacked on his neck by some one with a sharp-edged weapon from behind. After that, he was attacked on his face, chest, legs, hands and back repeatedly. Liver of the deceased was punctured and neck bone cut in the attack.

After hearing his cries on the mobile phone, Tina, a girl from Germany, the person with whom he was talking, made a call to a common friend in Delhi about the incident. Then some of the friends of this town were informed by Delhi-based friend. When local friends reached at Polo Ground, he was found dead. He was taken to a private hospital by his friends, where he was declared brought dead by doctors.

Mr Vijay Singh, who was 42, used to take walks with his friends and pets and went for a walk alone last night.

Body of Mr Vijay Singh was cremated in the cremation ground on the Patiala Rajpura road this afternoon with police honours.

He is survived by his widowed mother, wife, three daughters, one brother and one sister. His elder daughter Ismat lit the pyre. The police fired 21 rounds in the air and by a contingent of the Punjab Police reversed arms as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

Wreaths were placed on the body on behalf of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his wife Mrs Preneet Kaur, Member of Parliament, and by the senior district officials.

Mr Tirlochan Singh, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Mr Justice S.S. Grewal, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Mr Braham Mahindra, Chairman, Punjab Warehousing Corporation, attended the funeral.

Obituary
A man of many parts
Arvind Katyal

Daughters and wife of Additional Sessions Judge Vijay Singh carry the body of the slain judge to the cremation ground in Patiala, on Friday. — Tribune photo by Rajesh Sachar

‘Goodly’ is no more. Yes, that was the nickname of the jovial and gutsy Vijay Singh, a Punjab judicial officer, who was killed in cold blood at Patiala last night.

It was a few months ago, when during his tenure as Additional District Sessions Judge at Ludhiana, that a classmate and I requested Vijay to plan the alumni meet of our Government Model Senior Secondary School, Pheel Khana, Patiala.

He responded quickly by saying, “tusin apne purane bande kathe karo, pher apan ek din baith jande hain” (Try to contact all school mates, then we will chalk out a programme one day).Alas, that day will never come. Goodly’s ever-smiling face is in my mind as I recall the days we spent together at school from 1977 to 1979. As a student, he was a habitual backbencher.

He would encourage others to sit with him, away from the teacher’s prying eye. He would often keep his arms around my shoulder and say, ‘Veere, appan khedan vale pichhe bathange’. (Brother, all sportsmen will sit at the back).

He would never feel the pressure even when the annual examinations were on. For, he had a carefree attitude. The teachers would tell him, “Goodly, you must study hard”. Flashing an instant smile, he would shoot back, “No problem, Sir, I will work hard”. It was his sharp mind that helped him in securing the first position in the PCS (Judicial) entrance examination.

Godly was a fine cycle polo player. He captained the state team and won many laurels in the National Cycle Polo meets. He was a great dog lover too and the force behind the Patiala Kennel Club.

He would not mind paying any price for a dog he liked. He was the proud owner of several dogs, their value running into lakhs. Despite his busy schedule, he found time to attend dog shows both within and without the country. Dogs were his best friends and they always accompanied him, except in his last journey inflicted on him by his cruel enemies.