Trusted clients behind Ludhiana jeweller stabbing: Cops

Ludhiana: Driven to desperation by crushing stock market losses, a father and his two sons have been arrested for the daylight stabbing and robbery of a prominent local jeweller they had known for years.

The Shimlapuri police apprehended Harwinder Singh, 46, and his sons, Sardool Singh, 26, and Gurjeet Singh, 24, following the May 22 heist at a jewellery shop near the Advanced Training Institute (ATI). Investigators recovered stolen silver ornaments, a cash portion from sold gold, the jeweller’s licensed pistol, a scooter, and the getaway car.

Ludhiana’s additional deputy commissioner of police, Karanveer Singh, said the family had planned the robbery to escape mounting financial distress, fuelled by massive equity trading losses and expensive, ongoing court battles involving property and immigration disputes.

“The accused were long-time acquaintances of the jeweller and regular visitors to the shop,” the additional deputy commissioner said. Police identified the eldest son, Sardool, as the mastermind.

Sardool allegedly cased the shop two days prior, mapping out the layout, the location of the strongroom, and a plan to confine the owner. During the heist, Sardool waited in a getaway car nearby while his younger brother and father stormed the premises.

Assistant commissioner of police Anubhav Jain confirmed that raids were on to recover the remaining stolen gold ornaments. All three suspects remain in custody pending formal charges.