Nihangs ‘nursed grudge’ against Sena leader

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Ludhiana, July 6

The preliminary questioning of two Nihangs who were arrested in connection with the murderous attack on Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar, alias Gora, revealed that Thapar’s statements against Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale on social media and other public platforms led to the attack.

A senior officer privy to the investigation said, “Sandeep Thapar was quite vocal against Bhindrawale. He used to post objectionable remarks against him. Thapar also gave several interviews to Youtubers in which he presented Bhindrawale in bad light.”

“The Nihangs admitted that they had been nursing a grudge against Thapar for long. They had not decided to attack Thapar on Friday. In fact, they had gone to the drug de-addiction centre at the Civil Hospital to purchase medicines. After they saw Thapar at the hospital, they decided to teach him a lesson. Once Thapar stepped out of the hospital, the Nihangs attacked him,” said the senior police official, adding that the suspects had no connection with any banned militant outfit. Sources said cellphones of the suspects had been sent for forensic examination and their call details were being analysed.

On Friday night, Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal and Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Ranjit Grewal released information about the arrest of the two Nihangs. The duo was identified as Sarabjit Singh Sabha of Nihang Chawni, Transport Chowk, and Harjot Singh Jota of Bhamian. Their third accomplice, Tehal Singh Laddi of Amritsar, is at large. The suspects admitted that they belong to Baba Buddha Dal.

“Two Nihangs were caught from Fatehgarh Sahib within a few hours of the incident,” said Chahal, adding that the suspects were produced before a court, which sent them to three-day police custody.

Meanwhile, several Shiv Sena activists who had protested at the DMC Hospital and had given a Ludhiana bandh call for Saturday thanked the top cop for nabbing the culprits.