Police have apprehended three individuals linked with the vandalism of a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar in Hoshiarpur, with possible connections to the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), officials said on Saturday.
The incident occurred on the intervening night of March 30 and 31 at Nurpur Jattan village. Unknown men had vandalised the statue installed on the roof of a room near a canal.
A case was filed at Mahilpur police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandeep Kumar Malik said. He said special investigation teams headed by Superintendent of Police (Detective) Manpreet Shimmar were formed to crack the case.
Based on technical evidence and human intelligence, police identified Gurkirat Singh (26) of Barian Kalan village as the main accused. His questioning led police to two alleged accomplices — Babandeep Singh (20) and Sahilpreet Singh (22), both residents of SAS Nagar (Mohali). All three accused have been apprehended.
The SSP said the accused allegedly conducted the act at the direction of foreign-based handlers and were promised money.
“During investigation, it has emerged that the conspiracy may have links with SFJ and its chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun,” Malik said, adding that further investigation is ongoing to verify international connections.
Police recovered a metal rod and mobile phones from the accused during the investigation. Malik said Gurkirat Singh had illegally travelled to the United States in 2023 and was deported to India in 2025.
During his stay abroad, he is suspected to have come in contact with persons linked to SFJ and remained connected with them after returning to India. Police said the accused were allegedly given around Rs 50,000 to carry out the vandalism.
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