Assailants pump bullets into slain gangster’s brother in Khanna

Monday, 21/08/2017

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LUDHIANA: Two unidentified assailants shot dead Manvinder Gandhi, former sarpanch of Rasoolra village of Khanna and elder brother of murdered gangster Rupinder Gandhi, at fields outside his home in Rasoolpur village of Khanna on Sunday morning. The assailants pumped three bullets into Manvinder, also known as Mindi, from pointblank range, the police said. He was rushed to Satguru Partap Singh Hospital in Ludhiana, but could not survive.

Police at the crime spot where Manvinder Singh (below) was killed in Ludhiana on Sunday. Two labourers are witnesses.

Police also claim that the motive behind the killing is suspected to be old rivalry as Manvinder was facing several cases, including for attempt to murder. This case was registered after he shot at a gangster, Lakhi, the man he suspected of murdering his brother.

Manvinder had produced a film on the life of his murdered brother titled ‘Rupinder Gandhi — the Robin Hood’ that is scheduled for release on September 8. The release date was postponed from August 25 after the Dera verdict was scheduled for that date. He had also sponsored another movie, ‘Rupinder Gandhi — The gangster’ that was released in 2015.

Rupinder Gandhi, shot dead in 2003, in a gang war, was the founder of Gandhi Group Student Union (GGSU). He faced cases of attempt to murder, assault and possession of illegal weapons. He was a former president of Panjab University Students Union (PUSU), Chandigarh, as well. Manvinder had visited Panjab University a few days ago for Gandhi Group Student Union’s panel announcement, ahead of PU Student Council polls.

THE CRIME AND THE ESCAPE

On Sunday morning, Manvinder was working in the fields near his house when two men came to meet him, according to farm labourers who were working nearby and witnessed the crime. The labourers have also told the police that the two men seemed known to the victim, greeted him and even shook hands with him. The killers and Manvinder even had a conversation for around two minutes, according to the witnesses.

Suddenly, without warning, the assailants flashed pistols and fired at him from point-blank range. The police claim two pistols of .32 bore and .30 bore were used in the crime.

The assailants then took the motorcycle of Manvinder, parked unlocked near the fields for fleeing. In their hurry, they dropped a magazine that the police have seized. Four shells have been also recovered from the spot.

According to the police, while escaping, the unidentified assailants reportedly robbed an Innova from a commuter as well. Devinder Singh Nonu, a cousin of the deceased, said that he tried to stop the assailants and even hit the motorcycle of the attackers with his car, to no avail.

The robbed car was found abandoned, later in the day. Khanna SSP Navjot Singh Mahal said Manvinder received three bullets injuries — one in the head and two in stomach.

Police have registered a murder case. Manvinder is survived by wife and two children and a nephew Davinder Singh alias Noni, who is the son of third brother Gurjab Singh, who had died of illness.