A Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) councillor was shot dead in broad daylight in Amritsar’s Chehertha area on Sunday, triggering a political row over the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab.
According to the police, Harjinder Singh, councillor of Ward No. 2 under the Jandiala Assembly constituency, was intercepted by three to four assailants while riding his bike. Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Harpal Singh Randhawa said the attackers opened fire, shooting three to four bullets at Singh, who later succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital, news agency PTI reported.
Police have identified three suspects allegedly involved in the murder — Gopi, Amit, and Karan Kira — all residents of Jandiala Guru. They are said to be associated with the Krishna gang, which has been linked to the shooting. The vehicle used in the crime has also been traced, police added, assuring that arrests would be made soon.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal strongly condemned the killing, blaming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for what he described as a “complete collapse” of law and order in Punjab. “The death of Harjinder Singh, SAD councillor from Jandiala Guru in Amritsar district, has completely exposed the law and order situation in Punjab,” Badal alleged.
He further claimed that shots had been fired at Singh’s house a few days ago, and despite a complaint being lodged, no action was taken by the police. He questioned both Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state police chief over the alleged inaction.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal termed the murder “tragic and unacceptable,” stating, “The Punjab government and I deeply condemn this heinous crime. While such incidents are heart-rending, let me assure the people of Punjab that the culprits will not escape justice.”
Dhaliwal said that the accused were identified within hours and that arrests would follow soon. “Our government is committed to restoring peace and eliminating gang culture from Punjab,” he added. He also criticised opposition parties for politicising the incident and alleged that the previous SAD-BJP government had created the conditions for such violence. “The seeds of gang violence and drug abuse were sown during their rule. Now, we are left to clean up their mess,” he alleged.
Senior Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia claimed that Harjinder Singh had been receiving threat calls and had informed the police, but no action was taken. Criticising the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, Majithia alleged, “The councillor had been receiving threat calls about which he had informed the police who did nothing.”
Majithia further targeted the state administration, saying, “Today he was murdered,” blaming the “deteriorating law and order situation” in Punjab. He also shared CCTV footage from a recent attack on Singh’s residence.
👉ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਅਮਨ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਦੀ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਬਦ ਤੋਂ ਬਦਤਰ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਜੰਡਿਆਲਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਲ ਦੇ ਮੌਜੂਦਾ ਕੌਂਸਲਰ ਹਰਜਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਦਾ ਅੱਜ ਗੋਲੀਆਂ ਮਾਰ ਕੇ ਕਤਲ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
👉 ਕੁਝ ਦਿਨ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਕੌਂਸਲਰ ਹਰਜਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੇ ਘਰ ‘ਤੇ ਗੋਲੀਆਂ ਚੱਲੀਆਂ ਸਨ।
👉 ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਕੌਂਸਲਰ ਨੂੰ ਧਮਕੀਆਂ ਮਿਲ… pic.twitter.com/vmI6oAHpaM
— Bikram Singh Majithia (@bsmajithia) May 25, 2025
The footage shows two individuals—faces covered—approaching Singh’s house via a narrow street around 1 am. One of them is seen holding a phone while the other opens fire. While one attacker’s weapon appears to jam, the other successfully fires two shots before both flee the scene.
Tagging Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Majithia questioned why no action was taken despite a complaint reportedly being received by the Director General of Police.
Mithijia Alleges ‘Politicisation’ Of Punjab Police, State Congress Chief Slams ‘Lawlessness’
In another post, Mijithia alleged “politicisation of security apparatus and police force” and alleged that Harjinder Singh would have received increased security if he was an AAP leader. “When shots were fired at Harjinder Singh’s house and he received threatening phone calls, a complaint was submitted to the police and security was requested. But since he was affiliated with an opposition political party, no action was taken, and today he was murdered in broad daylight,” he wrote.
“Punjab is a border state, yet the law and order situation is so poor that attacks on intelligence offices, nearly a dozen-and-a-half bomb blasts, and incidents of target killings have become common. Bhagwant Mann ji, this is your failure, and you no longer have the right to remain in office. Resign immediately,” Mijithia remarked.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also condemned the incident. In a post on X, he said, “Brutal broad daylight murder of Akali Dal councillor Harjinder Singh Bahman is highly condemnable. My sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family.” He added that the killing “reflects poorly on the deteriorating law and order situation prevailing in Punjab. Criminals have either no fear of law or are being patronised by the powers that be. AAP is pushing Punjab towards complete lawlessness and anarchy.”
