Sangrur gangster on bail, aides gun down financier

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, February 16

Out on bail, a gangster and his four accomplices today shot dead local financier Hardev Singh Happy in the main market of Longowal.

The motorcycle-borne accused then sped away from the spot. Later, gangster Dalvinder Singh Babbli, alias Babbal Randhawa, who is facing many criminal cases, uploaded three videos and a letter on Facebook. He is seen declaring that he had shown only the “trailer” today, while the “movie” would be shown later. Relatives have refused to allow the post-mortem till the arrest of the accused while shopkeepers downed shutters to protest against the worsening law and order in city.

Today, when Happy was crossing through main market on his motorcycle around 10 am, all five accused on two motorcycles waylaid him.

“All five were carrying pistols. Two fired at Happy while three others stood guard with pistols in their hands. After firing, they paused there to check whether he was dead and escaped through main market while raising alarm,” said Sajjan Singh, father of the deceased.

“We have registered a case against Dalvinder Singh Babbal, Varinder, Aman, Shuraja and Nursi,” said Sewa Singh Malhi, SP (D), Sangrur.

Relatives of the deceased said Happy and Babbal belonged to Randhawa Patti of Longowal. The accused had recently borrowed around Rs 5 lakh from Happy. But their relations soured after Devinder, a close friend of Babbal, allegedly threatened Happy over the phone last month over some issue. Both had a fight on January 31. The police registered an FIR against both, but a compromise took place five days ago.

“We have formed several teams and raids are going on,” said Inderbir Singh, SSP.