A kin of Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli was beaten to death at Bassi dhaba in Adampur during a violent clash that occurred late last evening.

Victim Sunil Kumar, alias Sunny, was reportedly sitting at a dhaba with his friends around 10:30 pm when the incident occurred. A group of eight youths, not known to Sunny and his friends, were sitting on a nearby table and taking liquor.

Sunny reportedly went to their table and started a conversation. They also offered liquor to Sunny. After drinking for sometime, both allegedly started abusing each other on some topic. The youths started beating Sunny. They punched and kicked him. It escalated and Kamaljit Singh, alias Kamli, took out a sharp-edged weapon and hit Sunny, leaving him dead.

Two of Sunny's friends, Anmol amd Paramjit, who intervened during the clash, have also suffered serious injuries. Soon after the incident, MLA Kotli had reached the spot. He appealed to SSP Harkamal Preet S Khakh to book all accused. He said the gruesome murder had again brought to light the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

SSP Khakh said DSP, Adampur, Kulwant Singh and SHO, Adampur, Inspector Ravinderpal Singh acted promptly. Within hours of the crime, they arrested three accused, including main culprit Kamli, Jorawar Singh, alias Jora, of Adampur and Satinderjit Singh of Kauhja village. A case has been registered under Sections 103, 115(2), 118(1), 351(3), 191(3) and 190 of BNS.

The SSP said the murder weapon and a Scorpio vehicle bearing registration number Punjab-09-K-0386 had been recovered. He said efforts were on to apprehend the remaining accused. "The arrested accused will be produced in the local court and their remand will be sought to further investigate the case", he said.