Son of Ludhiana's 'Pandit Ji Kulche Chole' Owner Shot Dead at Birthday Partyਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਦੇ ਮਸ਼ਹੂਰ 'ਪੰਡਿਤ ਜੀ ਕੁਲਚੇ ਛੋਲੇ' ਵਾਲੇ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਦੀ ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੋਲੀ ਮਾਰ ਕੇ ਹੱਤਿਆ

Ludhiana's best known street food name is at the centre of the city's latest fatal shooting. Rahul Sharma, the 34-year-old son of 'Pandit Ji Kulche Chole' owner Kuldeep Sharma, was shot during a gathering at a friend's house late on Wednesday night and died during treatment at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, police said. The family eatery has been running since 1952 and is part of everyday Ludhiana life.

What police say happened at the party

According to police, Rahul had gone to the house of his friend Akhil Joshi at Green World Homes in Daad village, on Pakhowal Road, for a birthday celebration on the terrace. Police were alerted during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday about firing near the Lalton police checkpost. Deputy Commissioner of Police Alam Vijay Singh said the shooting grew out of an argument among the eight to ten men at the party. 'It was a crime of passion committed during an argument. It wasn't a planned or targeted killing,' the DCP said. Friends rushed Rahul to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. SHO Inspector Jagdev Singh said the preliminary probe found two bullet wounds.

Nine booked, prime suspect named in FIR

Police have booked nine people in the case, including Gagandeep Arora, who, according to the FIR, allegedly opened fire with his licensed weapon. Joshi, at whose house the party was held, is also among the nine booked. The FIR, based on the statement of Rahul's father Kuldeep Kumar Sharma, 64, invokes murder, rioting with deadly weapons and other provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. In his statement, Kuldeep said Rahul had closed the family's College Road eatery at around 10 pm on Wednesday and told him he was going to Joshi's birthday party. At around 2 am, the father received a call saying Rahul had died of bullet injuries at the hospital. Police sources said Rahul, who was also in the real estate business, was discussing a business matter with Gagandeep, a cafe owner, when an argument broke out. Four police teams have been formed to make arrests, and the SHO said the exact sequence of events would become clear only after that.

A friend at the party claims the shot was accidental

Joshi has issued a video statement giving a different account. He claimed the firing was accidental, saying Gagandeep told him he had been placing his revolver on the table when it suddenly went off and hit Rahul. He denied claims that Rahul's friends abandoned him at the hospital, saying they rushed him to DMCH, stayed until his family arrived, and then left because they were scared. Police have not yet established which account is correct, and the FIR's allegations have not been tested in court.

The family behind a Ludhiana institution

'Pandit Ji Kulche Chole' on Cemetery Road has been run by the family since 1952. It was started by Rahul's grandfather Khushi Ram, who migrated from Himachal Pradesh, and was later carried on by Kuldeep, who still sits under a tree with an iron container of homemade chole. The eatery is known for its onion and garlic free kulche chole with tangy tamarind chutney. Rahul helped expand the business and managed the newer College Road outlet, 'Pandit Ji ke Kulche Chane'. He is survived by his parents, his wife and a married sister.

Second birthday party shooting in Ludhiana in two days

Rahul's killing was the second fatal shooting in Ludhiana linked to a birthday gathering within two days. On Tuesday night, 30-year-old Darbara Singh alias Harry of Tajpur Road was shot dead at EWS Colony during a clash after he left home to attend a birthday party, and police booked eight people in that case. The death also comes amid a wider political argument over gun violence in Punjab, with opposition parties targeting the Aam Aadmi Party government after a string of recent killings.

Who was Rahul Sharma?

Rahul Sharma, 34, was the son of Kuldeep Sharma, owner of Ludhiana's famous 'Pandit Ji Kulche Chole' eatery. He helped run and expand the family business, including its College Road outlet, and was also involved in real estate.

What have police said about how the shooting happened?

DCP Alam Vijay Singh said the shooting followed an argument among friends gathered for a birthday party and was not a planned or targeted killing. Police say Rahul suffered two bullet wounds and died during treatment at DMCH.

Who has been booked in the case?

Police have booked nine people, including Gagandeep Arora, who the FIR alleges fired his licensed weapon, and Akhil Joshi, at whose house the party was held. Four teams have been formed to make arrests.

Is there another account of the shooting?

Yes. Joshi, who hosted the party, has claimed in a video statement that the revolver went off accidentally while it was being placed on a table. Police say the sequence of events is still to be established.