Jalandhar, August 4 — Tensions escalated in Jalandhar as the family of 22-year-old Muneeb staged a protest outside the Jalandhar police station, demanding action against the accused in a shooting incident that ultimately led to his death.
Muneeb, a resident of Bharat Nagar, was shot 22 days ago near Kamal Vihar and Bashirpura railway crossing and had been undergoing treatment in a hospital. On the 22nd day of his treatment, he succumbed to his injuries. His father Vishal has accused local political figures of shielding the accused and delaying justice.
The family alleges that the main accused, Mankaran, is still absconding while only two of the suspects have been arrested so far. Among those arrested is the uncle of one of the prime suspects. The family further claims that Mankaran carried out the attack under instructions from his father, Deenanath, a local political leader and head of a party’s migrant cell in the area.
Muneeb’s brother stated that the bullet was lodged in the lower part of his brother’s abdomen, which ruptured his urinary bladder. He underwent one surgery and was awaiting a second when his condition worsened and he passed away.
Local councillor Raju, who joined the protest, claimed that police had verbally promised to file an FIR by 5 PM the same day, but no action had been taken even after the deadline passed. The protestors have also alleged that the main accused was previously involved in filing a false FIR against Muneeb in 2024, which led to his arrest. After Muneeb was released on bail, he was shot on July 12, they said.
Police have arrested a suspect named Raja from Lamma Pind recently, but the main shooter, Mankaran, remains on the run. SSP Taranjit Singh stated that daily raids are being conducted to apprehend the remaining accused.
Meanwhile, Deenanath, who has been named as the mastermind, denied the allegations, claiming ignorance about the incident. “This is all a political stunt. I’m being falsely framed,” he said. However, the victim’s family alleges that Deenanath has been threatening them and is using his influence to obstruct justice.
Family members are calling for immediate and strict action against all accused and claim that they have lost faith in the police’s intentions. The situation remains tense, with community members rallying in support of the family’s demand for justice.
