Street food vendor shot dead near home in Ludhiana, police suspect ‘honour killing’ in family feud.

Ludhiana: A 32-year-old street food vendor was shot dead near his home in the early hours of Wednesday in a suspected targeted killing, prompting his family to allege the involvement of his in-laws. In a chilling twist, his mother-in-law had even tried to warn him — pleading with him not to take that road, sensing danger in the dark. Hours later, he was dead.Sonu Singh, a resident of Ishar Nagar, was returning home from a local fair with his father, where they had been selling golgappas. The incident occurred around 1 am as Sonu Singh pulled their cart while his father parked their motorcycle inside the house. "I heard a sudden noise and rushed outside," said Guddu Singh, the victim's father. "Sonu had collapsed, and I saw someone fleeing on a two-wheeler. Sonu had been shot."The family has said they called for an ambulance immediately, but it reportedly did not arrive for at least 30 minutes. Sonu was taken to Ludhiana's civil hospital eventually with the help of neighbours but he could not reach there alive. Inspector Avtar Singh, station house officer (SHO) at the Sadar police station, claims preliminary investigations to suggest that Sonu Singh was shot from behind at close range. "The bullet entered through his back and exited through his chest. We have registered a murder case against unidentified individuals and are reviewing CCTV footage from the area," the officer said.The victim's father also noted the unusual silence of the attack, speculating that the assailant may have used an electric vehicle to avoid detection. Police claim to be pursuing all leads, including the family's allegations, as the investigation continues. Sonu's family claimed that he had married Nibha Kumari about 18 months ago, against her family's wishes. The couple had received a year of police protection following threats from Nibha's relatives, which means that the couple was unprotected for the past eight months. Even though they had a child five months ago, her family allegedly continued to reject the marriage. "We believe strongly that Nibha's family is behind Sonu's murder," Guddu Singh said, a sentiment echoed by Nibha, who claimed that her family had not issued any recent threats but remained hostile towards her husband.Nibha's father had once told her to walk out of the marriage. The father is missing for the past eight month, but her brother is around. Sonu and Nibha's families are both from different states (Sonu's from Uttar Pradesh and Nibha's from Bihar), now settled in and around Ludhiana for several years, and "honor killing" that's being alleged in their case is an oft-reported crime against vulnerabile couples both in their and this part of the country.Honour killings arise typically from family opposition to marriages deemed inappropriate, often love marriages or inter-caste unions. The violence is severe, involving shootings, kidnappings, torture, and murder. Despite legal actions and arrests, these incidents reflect deep-rooted social issues related to family honour and control over women's choices in marriage. Investigations have been complex, especially in cases involving international extradition and conspiracy. Authorities continue to pursue justice despite threats and social pressures.MSID:: 120551967 413 | Ludhiana: A 32-year-old street food vendor was shot dead near his home in the early hours of Wednesday in a suspected targeted killing, prompting his family to allege the involvement of his in-laws. In a chilling twist, his mother-in-law had even tried to warn him — pleading with him not to take that road, sensing danger in the dark. Hours later, he was dead.Sonu Singh, a resident of Ishar Nagar, was returning home from a local fair with his father, where they had been selling golgappas. The incident occurred around 1 am as Sonu Singh pulled their cart while his father parked their motorcycle inside the house. "I heard a sudden noise and rushed outside," said Guddu Singh, the victim's father. "Sonu had collapsed, and I saw someone fleeing on a two-wheeler. Sonu had been shot."The family has said they called for an ambulance immediately, but it reportedly did not arrive for at least 30 minutes. Sonu was taken to Ludhiana's civil hospital eventually with the help of neighbours but he could not reach there alive. Inspector Avtar Singh, station house officer (SHO) at the Sadar police station, claims preliminary investigations to suggest that Sonu Singh was shot from behind at close range. "The bullet entered through his back and exited through his chest. We have registered a murder case against unidentified individuals and are reviewing CCTV footage from the area," the officer said.The victim's father also noted the unusual silence of the attack, speculating that the assailant may have used an electric vehicle to avoid detection. Police claim to be pursuing all leads, including the family's allegations, as the investigation continues. Sonu's family claimed that he had married Nibha Kumari about 18 months ago, against her family's wishes. The couple had received a year of police protection following threats from Nibha's relatives, which means that the couple was unprotected for the past eight months. Even though they had a child five months ago, her family allegedly continued to reject the marriage. "We believe strongly that Nibha's family is behind Sonu's murder," Guddu Singh said, a sentiment echoed by Nibha, who claimed that her family had not issued any recent threats but remained hostile towards her husband.Nibha's father had once told her to walk out of the marriage. The father is missing for the past eight month, but her brother is around. Sonu and Nibha's families are both from different states (Sonu's from Uttar Pradesh and Nibha's from Bihar), now settled in and around Ludhiana for several years, and "honor killing" that's being alleged in their case is an oft-reported crime against vulnerabile couples both in their and this part of the country.Honour killings arise typically from family opposition to marriages deemed inappropriate, often love marriages or inter-caste unions. The violence is severe, involving shootings, kidnappings, torture, and murder. Despite legal actions and arrests, these incidents reflect deep-rooted social issues related to family honour and control over women's choices in marriage. Investigations have been complex, especially in cases involving international extradition and conspiracy. Authorities continue to pursue justice despite threats and social pressures.MSID:: 120551967 413 |