An NRI recently returned from the United States, Sukhchain Singh, was shot at his residence in Amritsar’s Daburji area on Saturday. Two armed men entered Singh’s home under the guise of inquiring about his luxury car’s registration and then opened fire on him. Singh, who had recently returned from the US and purchased a Rs 1.5 crore luxury vehicle, suffered two bullet wounds to his face and hands and is currently stable in the hospital. The attack was captured on Singh’s CCTV, which showed the assailants fleeing after their pistols malfunctioned.
Singh’s family is demanding stringent action against the perpetrators. His mother has alleged that the attack was orchestrated by members of his first wife’s family. An FIR has been lodged against five individuals linked to Singh’s ex-wife. The government has directed the Amritsar Police Commissioner to address the situation promptly.
Punjab’s opposition parties have seized on the incident to criticize the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s handling of law and order. Punjab Minister for NRI Affairs, Kuldeep S. Dhaliwal, suggested that the attack might be related to personal disputes, noting that property and personal issues involving NRIs are not uncommon. Dhaliwal urged NRIs to resolve such disputes through dialogue and mutual consent.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal criticized the government, stating that the law and order situation in Punjab had “completely deteriorated.” He tagged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on social media, demanding his resignation over the rising crime rate.
Former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal expressed concern that the attack had “shaken” Punjab, contrasting the security provided to high-profile individuals with the general lack of safety for ordinary citizens. She highlighted a growing trend of extortion, gangster interviews, and violence in the state.
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also condemned the incident, claiming that Punjab’s law and order situation is deteriorating and questioning the effectiveness of Chief Minister Mann’s administration.
Congress Punjab chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring criticized the AAP government, asserting that the state has become a dangerous place for NRIs and calling for effective action rather than empty rhetoric.
