Middukhera murder: Leads point to gang war, says Mohali SSP

Mohali, August 8

A day after the daylight murder of Youth Akali Dal leader Vicky Middukhera, the Lawrence Bishnoi group vowed to avenge the death soon, affirming the police suspicion of a gang war.

The Davinder Bambiha group, in a Facebook post, claimed the responsibility for the murder, stating that Middukhera was working as an “informer of the Bishnoi group”. Middukhera was also “helping Bishnoi in extortion” by passing on phone numbers of Punjabi singers and businessmen, the group added. Mohali SSP Satinder Singh said, “It looks like a case of gang war, Bishnoi’s Facebook post in support of Middukhera points towards it. We are working on the case. Maybe, we are able to make a headway in the case tomorrow.”

Under pressure to solve the case as early as possible, the police have been conducting raids and rounding up suspects to get crucial leads, but have been left empty-handed till now.

The police have recovered empty shells from the spot and the CCTV footage of the area is being scanned.

Sources said the dump data of the area and the call list in the deceased’s phone were being scrutinised to know who all were in contact with him.

The Mohali top cop said a property consultant, who was a friend of the deceased, had disclosed that Middukhera came to meet him and buy a property. The duo talked for around 30 minutes but the deal did not materialise and he left the office, said the SSP. The CCTV footage shows that during the firing, one of the assailants was holding the gun in his left hand and the police are looking for further clues to solve the case. The police said at the time of the incident, the deceased too had a licensed pistol in his SUV. However, he did not get the time to take it out and instead chose to run for cover. “The pistol and the SUV have been taken in possession by the police after the incident,” said an official who is part of the investigation. —TNS