Mother from Ludhiana’s GTB Nagar died shielding daughter from abusive son-in-law.

Ludhiana: A mother's final act of bravery cost her her life after she stepped into the line of fire to save her daughter from an armed assault by son-in-law in the city's GTB Nagar locality.Shot in the head, Poonam Pandey had died instantly when her son-in-law, Vikram Rai, had allegedly opened fire during a heated confrontation on Saturday. Police authorities say the tragedy was only limited by a mechanical failure in the suspect's weapon, which likely saved the life of his young wife. The victim's daughter, Sakshi, had entered a "love marriage" with Rai, a 21-year-old labourer, in March. However, the relationship deteriorated quickly. Sakshi told investigators that Rai had developed a gambling habit, leading to frequent conflicts.Seeking safety from the volatile environment, Sakshi returned to her mother's home on Nov 26. On the day of the shooting, Rai had arrived at Poonam Pandey's house on a motorcycle, accompanied by an unidentified accomplice. He allegedly demanded that Sakshi return to his home in Giaspura immediately. "I refused, and even my mother told Vikram that her daughter would not go with him," Sakshi said in her statement to police. "Vikram then said: ‘If you will not come with me, I will shoot you,' and flashed a gun."As Poonam Pandey rushed forward to shield her daughter, Rai fired a single shot. The bullet struck Pandey in the head. In a chilling postscript to the murder, Rai reportedly turned the gun on his wife and attempted to fire twice more. Both times, the weapon jammed, and the suspect fled as live rounds fell to the floor.Jamalpur police have registered a murder case against Rai and his accomplice. Early findings suggest the suspect used an illegal pistol, a detail that aligns with previous threats Sakshi says he made against her life. "The investigation suggests the accused used an illegal firearm," a police spokesperson said. "The accused hails from Bihar, and we suspect he may be attempting to flee to his home state. Teams are currently tracking his movements." Neighbours had moved Poonam Pandey to a nearby hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival.MSID:: 126123830 413 |