Lawyer attacked with axe outside Kharar court, accused arrested within hours

Mohali: A lawyer was attacked with an axe and robbed of his gold chain by an unidentified assailant outside the Kharar court complex on Tuesday morning. The attacker also vandalised the lawyer's vehicle before fleeing the scene.The victim, Nakul Kapoor, was on his way to court in his Honda City car when the assailant, driving a white Volkswagen Polo, intercepted his vehicle near Kharar bus stand. Parking abruptly in front of Kapoor's car, the attacker stepped out carrying an axe and repeatedly smashed the windshield. As Kapoor exited his vehicle to escape, the attacker struck him on the thigh and shoulder, inflicting injuries, before snatching his gold chain and driving away in the Polo.Kapoor was rushed to the govt hospital in Kharar where his condition is stated to be stable. News of the assault quickly spread, leading to a heavy gathering of lawyers at the hospital in protest.Condemning the attack, Kharar Bar Association president Gagan Sharma said the incident underscored rising assaults on legal professionals in Punjab, citing a recent murder of a lawyer in Amritsar. Demanding strong action and protection for lawyers, the association announced a strike, leading to suspension of work in Kharar courts for the day.Kharar city SHO Sunil Kumar said that police acted promptly and arrested the accused — identified as Kulwant Singh, a resident of Kharar — along with the vehicle used in the crime. He was booked under Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 382 (theft after preparation for causing hurt) of the IPC.