Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The investigation into the murder of a cashier at a medical store in Chandigarh witnessed a dramatic development on Thursday after two accused were injured in a police encounter following an alleged attempt to escape while being brought back from Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, the two suspects, identified as Sunny Mehra and Aryan, had recently been arrested in connection with the killing of Janki Das, an employee of Shri Kumar Medical Store in Sector 11. While being transported to Chandigarh, they allegedly tried to flee custody near the Sector 25 forest area in the early hours of the morning.
Police sources said the incident occurred after the escort vehicle reportedly met with an accident in an isolated stretch. Investigators believe the accused attempted to exploit the situation by overpowering security personnel and escaping from the spot.
Officials further claimed that one of the service weapons carried by the police team was allegedly snatched during the commotion. As the suspects attempted to run away, a confrontation followed in which police opened fire after the accused allegedly posed a threat during the escape attempt.
Sunny Mehra sustained two bullet injuries, while Aryan suffered a gunshot wound. Both were struck in the lower body and shifted to a hospital for treatment under heavy police security. A member of the escort team also sustained injuries during the incident and is receiving medical care.
Senior officers from the Operation Cell and the Crime Branch supervised the operation, and forensic teams later reached the location to collect evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events.
Meanwhile, an audio clip purportedly featuring gangster Goldy Dhillon surfaced on social media after the arrest of the two accused. The recording allegedly warns of retaliation if any harm is caused to the arrested individuals while in police custody.
However, law enforcement agencies have not authenticated the recording, and officials have stated that its origin and credibility are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
The encounter has added another significant chapter to the high-profile murder case that had drawn considerable attention following the arrest of the suspects outside the Union Territory. Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed inquiry into both the alleged escape attempt and the police response during the operation.
Investigators maintain that all aspects of the incident, including the circumstances leading to the firing, will be examined in accordance with legal procedures. Further details are likely to emerge as the investigation progresses and official reports are completed.
