In the Chandigarh district court complex on Saturday, a retired Punjab Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Malvinder Singh Sidhu, shot his son-in-law, Harprit Singh, an Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) officer, dead. According to Chandigarh police, the act was premeditated.
The killing happened in the course of a mediation meant to resolve Harprit’s bitter divorce case against his wife Amitoj Kaur, who is also Sidhu’s daughter, which was solemnized in July 2020 and went wrong afterwards, leading to disagreements on who would take care of their children and mutual allegations.
The strained relationship escalated into a full-blown legal tussle, with Amitoj filing a dowry harassment case against Harprit and his mother in 2021. Consequently, Harprit faced suspension from his government job but was later reinstated. In a bid to end the tumultuous marriage, Harprit initiated divorce proceedings in 2023, citing mental and physical cruelty.
Saturday’s tragic event occurred during the fourth mediation meeting between the two families. As the proceedings progressed, Sidhu requested to use the restroom and asked Harprit to accompany him. Once outside the mediation room, a heated argument erupted, culminating in Sidhu drawing a.32-bore revolver and firing multiple shots at his son-in-law. Harprit sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them despite being rushed to the hospital.
The murder weapon was found, and Sidhu was quickly apprehended by the police at the spot. The precise reason for the murder is still being investigated, but it is clear that the crime was prearranged. The event shocked the neighbourhood and sparked worries about the security of parties to legal disputes.
Harprit Singh’s untimely demise serves as a stark reminder of the destructive effects of family disputes and the pressing need for workable conflict resolution procedures. Authorities are striving to bring the victim justice and stop such instances in the future as the investigation progresses.
