Court frames charges against ex-Punjab AIG

A local court has framed charges under Sections of murder against retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Punjab Police Malvinder Singh Sidhu, who was arrested for allegedly killing his son-in-law Harpreet Singh at the Chandigarh District Courts complex on August 3, 2024. The victim was an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer.

The charges have been framed under Section 103 (murder) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and 25 & 27 of the Indian Arms Act 1959 (offences related to firearms and ammunition).

Harpreet was present in the court for a hearing related to his ongoing divorce case with his wife, the daughter of the accused, when the latter allegedly shot him.

Harpreet, who worked in a ministry in Delhi, had filed the divorce petition.

His wife had alleged that she was subjected to harassment and torture soon after the marriage. She also filed various cases against her husband in Mohali district. When she shifted to Canada, Harpreet filed the divorce petition in the District Courts here.

Three rounds of mediation had taken place between both parties. The police claimed that the petitioner and his in-laws were attending a session at the court’s Mediation Centre. During the proceedings, Malvinder requested to use the bathroom and took Harpreet along on the pretext of guiding him to the restroom. Once they got out of the room, Malvinder allegedly shot Harpreet twice.

The advocates present on the spot rushed the victim to the hospital, where he succumbed to injuries. Certain lawyers detained the accused and locked him in a room before informing the police.

The police claimed that they recovered a .32 bore pistol along with spent and live bullets from the accused.

Earlier, on a plea of the counsel for the accused, the court directed the investigating officer to preserve the CCTV footage as mentioned by the applicant. The court has adjourned the hearing of the case for August 11 for evidence.

Chandigarh