GURDASPUR — The family of 19-year-old Ranjit Singh, who was killed in controversial police encounter earlier this week, has refused to cremate his remains, demanding a high-level investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The standoff between the grieving family and the local administration intensified on Friday, February 27, 2026, as relatives insisted that the official police version of the events leading to Ranjit’s death is flawed and requires independent scrutiny.
Ranjit Singh was shot dead on Wednesday during a tactical operation conducted by the Punjab Police. At the time, law enforcement officials identified him as a prime suspect in the high-profile double murder of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gurnam Singh and Home Guard Ashok Kumar. According to the police, the fatal encounter occurred when officers attempted to apprehend Ranjit, who they claim opened fire on the team. However, the family has vehemently challenged this narrative, alleging that the 19-year-old was killed in cold blood and that the encounter was staged to cover up investigative failures.
The incident has rapidly escalated into a major political controversy, drawing sharp reactions from across the spectrum. Partap Singh Bajwa, the Leader of the Opposition, has formally urged the state government to hand the case over to the CBI. Bajwa emphasized that an impartial inquiry is necessary to maintain public trust in the police force, particularly given the victim’s age and the serious allegations of foul play raised by the local community. “The truth must be established through a transparent process; justice cannot be served through questionable encounters,” he stated.
Echoing these concerns, Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar called for a time-bound, independent inquiry, describing the case as a critical test of government accountability. Jakhar argued that if the police version is accurate, the state should have no hesitation in allowing an outside agency to verify the facts. As the stalemate continues, the body of the teenager remains at the local mortuary, with the family vowing to persist in their protest until a central agency takes over the investigation. Local authorities have increased security in Gurdaspur to prevent any potential law and order issues as tensions remain high.
