JALANDHAR: In a brazen act of violence that has sent shockwaves across Punjab and raised serious questions about the state's law and order, prominent RTI activist and lawyer Simranjit Singh was allegedly shot dead by unidentified assailants on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
The gruesome incident took place in broad daylight on the busy Jalandhar-Ludhiana National Highway near the village of Chaheru, leaving the legal fraternity and local residents in a state of panic. Preliminary reports indicate that the attackers meticulously planned the murder, targeting the lawyer directly to ensure he did not survive.
The Brutal Daylight Attack
According to initial information provided by the authorities, the unidentified armed assailants intercepted Simranjit Singh while he was traveling along the Chaheru stretch of the highway. The attackers opened fire indiscriminately, leaving the victim with multiple fatal bullet injuries. Sources reveal that the nature of the attack points towards a highly organized and targeted hit, giving the victim absolutely no chance to escape. Singh succumbed to his severe injuries at the scene.
Police Investigation and Crucial Recoveries
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Jalandhar Range, Naveen Singla, confirmed the incident, stating that the Kapurthala police control room received an urgent call regarding a lifeless body found on the highway. A heavy police force was immediately dispatched to secure the crime scene and initiate a preliminary probe.
Forensic teams and investigative officers have made significant recoveries from the spot. Authorities recovered a .32 bore pistol and a 12 bore rifle from the scene, which are believed to have been used or abandoned by the fleeing assailants.
Police teams are currently scouring the area and collecting CCTV footage from nearby toll plazas, commercial establishments, and traffic cameras along the Jalandhar-Ludhiana route to identify the attackers and trace their getaway vehicle.
A Tragic History: Previous Assassination Attempt
What makes this assassination even more alarming is that Simranjit Singh had recently survived a terrifying attack, highlighting a glaring failure by local authorities to provide him with adequate security.
Just a short while prior to this fatal attack, Simranjit was confronted by a gunman outside a local gym in Jalandhar. In a stroke of immense luck, the assailant’s loaded pistol malfunctioned and misfired, allowing the lawyer to quickly flee back into the gym and escape unharmed.
Investigations into that prior incident revealed chilling details. The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) had reportedly arrested a shooter who confessed to being hired by the notorious Sonu Khatri gang to assassinate the advocate. Despite having concrete intelligence regarding a highly credible threat to his life, it appears that sufficient preventive measures and police protection were not provided to Simranjit Singh, ultimately leaving him vulnerable to this successful second attempt.
Rising Concerns Over Law and Order
The daylight murder of a practicing lawyer and an RTI activist—who frequently sought to expose corruption and wrongdoings—has sparked immense outrage. Legal fraternities and fellow activists are demanding swift justice, a thorough probe, and accountability from the state administration. The incident has raised critical questions regarding the safety of whistleblowers and legal professionals in Punjab, especially those who have publicly known threats against their lives.
As the manhunt for the unidentified assailants continues, the police are facing mounting pressure to crack the case, uncover the primary motive, and apprehend the masterminds behind the hit. Whether the murder is tied to his professional work as a lawyer, his RTI activism, or the involvement of organized crime syndicates remains the focal point of the ongoing police probe.
