Varsity student, friends behind petrol pump robbery, murders

PATIALA: Five days after the chilling murder of two persons during a robbery at a petrol pump in Patiala, the police on Friday arrested a student of philosophy at Punjabi University and his school-dropout friend who dreamt of flying to America, for the crime.

The accused in police custody in Patiala on Friday. Photo: Rajesh Sachar

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 22

Five days after the chilling murder of two persons during a robbery at a petrol pump in Patiala, the police on Friday arrested a student of philosophy at Punjabi University and his school-dropout friend who dreamt of flying to America, for the crime.

While the police have managed to nab Sikandar Singh, 23, who is still enrolled in the university at Patiala, and Harpreet Singh Makhan, 18, who took to doing stray jobs in the city after leaving school midway, the third accused, Baba Bakala resident Lakhandeep Singh, 25, is absconding. In a tragic turn of events, all that the alleged killers got was a paltry Rs 11,000.

A video of the incident, where the three youths were caught on CCTV camera pumping bullets into a man sprawled on the road and writhing in pain, has now surfaced, giving hope to the police to turn it into a watertight case against the accused.

The police suspect Lakhandeep may have links with some Patiala gangsters. A drug addict, he was looking to make quick money, officers involved in the probe said. Harpreet, also an addict, "was desperate to fly abroad and was willing to do anything for it". The two even wanted to bring out a music album and were looking for sponsors. They had posted a couple of music videos on social media.

Sikandar, who arranged for the arms, is already facing a case under the Arms Act, according to AS Rai, Patiala Zone IG. “On June 17 evening, the three had smack and whiskey. Intoxicated, they decided to arrange for money to fulfill their dream of going abroad," added SHO Jaswinder Singh Tiwana.

"Without any prior planning, the three headed for a filling station at Chamarheri village on Sikandar's motorcycle. They sent Harpreet for a recce to assess security arrangements. On receiving an "all clear" signal, they struck at the station at 10.10 pm,” the SHO said.

Sikandar and Lakhandeep shot dead canter driver and part-time employee Kuldeep Singh and took away the cash with him. They then killed Devinder Singh of Alampur village, who tried to stop them. Sikandar and Lakhandeep left their weapons with Harpreet and fled. But the police succeeded in tracking down the duo.

"The families of both the accused are in shock. They had no inkling what was playing on their minds," the police said.