Prominent worker of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Dr Charnjit Garg alias Chidi, a property dealer and a former member of the consultative committee of the Ambala Division of the Indian Railways, and his wife Pooja were shot dead in the city late last night. Four persons, including a former Congress councillor, have been booked. A money dispute is believed to have led to the crime.
Garg had close ties with senior Akali leader and Rajya Sabha member SS Dhindsa and his son PS Dhindsa, who was Finance Minister in the Badal government. “Congress leaders have no fear of the law. All accused must be arrested immediately,” the latter demanded.
Garg and his wife reportedly left their house at 10.45 pm. As they reached Sardar Basti, their car was reportedly intercepted by four persons identified as Jaidev, Rakesh Sharma aka Jassi, his brother Pradeep Sharma and former councillor Pompy. They were shot point blank.
Sangrur SSP Sandeep Garg and other senior officers rushed to the site, sealed the city and launched a search for the killers. “The couple were shot in the head. Garg's body bore several injury marks, suggesting he may have been attacked with sharp-edged weapons first," the SSP said.
Garg's younger brother Karmjit said he received a call from his brother for help. "I reached the spot in 10 minutes. But it was too late. Jassi and Pradeep owed Rs 5 lakh to my brother. I saw them and two more flee in a car.”
