2 minors among 7 arrested in Phase-11 murder case

Mohali: In a major breakthrough in Phase-11 youth murder case, Mohali police arrested seven suspects, including two juveniles, while a total of 15 more suspects were rounded up for questioning during the investigation. SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans said the adult suspects were produced before a local court on Tuesday and remanded to police custody for further interrogation.SP (investigation) Saurav Jindal said the main accused was Adarsh Kumar alias Billa (23). The two juveniles, aged between 16-17 years, were presented before the Juvenile Justice Board and subsequently sent to a juvenile reformatory home.
According to police, the incident took place on the intervening night of February 13 and 14. The victim, Gursewak Singh Bhangu (27), was returning after paying obeisance at a temple in Phase 11 when he noticed two groups of youths engaged in a heated altercation, reportedly over a petty issue related to intoxication. On seeing the clash, Gursewak intervened in an attempt to pacify the groups and prevent escalation. During the scuffle, one of the accused allegedly attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon. He sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a private hospital, where he succumbed during treatment on Monday morning. The post-mortem examination revealed that the sharp-edged weapon ruptured the victim's liver. Police said the attacker allegedly twisted the weapon after stabbing and then pulled it out, causing extensive internal bleeding that proved fatal. Initially, a case was registered at Phase-11 police station under relevant sections of the BNS for attempt to murder. Following the victim's death, the charges were enhanced to murder, and the arrested accused were formally named in the FIR. Police said strict action will be taken against other anti-social elements in the area, and the antecedents of suspects are being verified to prevent recurrence of such incidents.