New Delhi: An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) functionary was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Jalandhar’s upscale Model Town area Friday morning, triggering a fresh political storm over law and order in Punjab.
The functionary, named Satwinder Pal Singh, who went by the popular name, Lucky Oberoi was gunned down around 7:30am while sitting inside his Thar SUV outside the gurdwara, senior police officers told ThePrint.
He was rushed to a hospital. “On examination, it was found that 8-9 rounds were fired at him. He was given CPR and put on a ventilator, but his life could not be saved,” a doctor at Sri Ram Hospital told news agency ANI.
Jalandhar commissioner of police Dhanpreet Kaur said the force was alerted to the incident around 8am. “An FIR is being registered at the Model Town Police station,” Kaur said.
Oberoi was a known party face in the constituency, having attended several AAP meetings at various levels and photographs documenting his party work. His wife, Simarjot Kaur, is believed to have contested last year’s municipal elections on the AAP symbol.
The party has been ruling Punjab since 2022.
The killing marks the second such attack on a ruling-party functionary in the state this year. Last month, an AAP sarpanch in Tarn Taran was shot dead at point-blank range at a wedding.
Friday’s incident comes amid mounting criticism of the Bhagwant Mann-led government and Punjab Police from both opposition parties and judicial authorities. On Thursday, the Punjab and Haryana High Court asked Punjab director general of police Gaurav Yadav to submit a detailed report on a daylight shooting outside the Mohali SSP’s office. In this case, one of the accused in the murder case of Gurlal Brar, cousin of fugitive terrorist Satwinder Singh alias Goldy Brar, was shot dead.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring launched a scathing attack on the government shortly after Friday’s shoting. “Nobody is safe under @AAPPunjab rule in Punjab.This is what we have been warning time and again. AAP has pushed Punjab into Jungle Raj,” Warring said on X.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikramjit Singh Majithia, recently released from jail after securing bail from the Supreme Court, also targeted the Mann government.
“In another broad day murder… @AAPPunjab leader Lucky Oberoi has been shot dead in Model Town Jalandhar by two assailants who have fired 8 to 10 bullets on him,” he wrote on X.
“This has become a new norm in Punjab. Kill anyone anywhere as per whims and fancies….Shame on you @BhagwantMann…You and your @DGPPunjabPolic have completely destroyed Punjab. Total collapse of Law and Order and still you are not ready to admit it… @PunjabPoliceInd,” he added.
AAP is yet to release an official statement on the shooting and accusations against its governance.
(Edited by Prerna Madan)
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