3 arrested for providing logistical support in Sec 9 property dealer murder case

Times News NetworkChandigarh: The crime branch of the Chandigarh police has cracked a key link in the murder case of property dealer Chamanpreet Singh alias Chini in Sector 9 with the arrest of three accused who allegedly provided logistical support to the shooters involved. Police have also recovered a pistol from the possession of the accused.Those arrested have been identified as Janu Malik, resident of Jujhar Nagar, Mohali; Kamalpreet, a resident of Burail, Sector 45, Chandigarh; and Rahul Sharma, a resident of Maloya, Chandigarh. Police said the three played an active supporting role by helping the shooters before and after the murder. All three were produced in court and remanded in 14 days of judicial custody.The arrests were made by the Crime Branch under the supervision of DSP Lakshya Pandey. Police said efforts are on to dismantle the entire network and identify other accomplices. During the probe, investigators found that the accused provided logistical and financial assistance to the shooters. Police said one of the accused arranged motorcycles used during the execution of the crime, while another helped arrange funds and other forms of support. The three were reportedly in constant touch with the shooters and kept track of their location, movements and travel details before and after the murder.Police are also examining a possible link to gangster Lucky Patial, who is believed to be operating from abroad and had claimed responsibility for the killing through a social media post. Authorities are verifying whether any of the arrested accused had direct communication with Patial.As part of the investigation, the Crime Branch has seized mobile phones of the accused and sent them for forensic examination. Call detail records, location data and communication patterns are being analysed to establish the sequence of events and connections between the accused and shooters.Earlier, the two main accused — Rajan alias Piyush Pehalwan and Pritam — were arrested by the Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force following an encounter in Kaithal, Haryana. According to AGTF officials, the accused opened fire during the operation, leading to retaliatory action by the police, in which both were injured. The motorcycle and weapons used in the murder were also recovered during that operation.