Chandigarh cop shot dead at home, 18-year-old son arrested

A Chandigarh Police head constable was shot dead inside his government house on Friday, and his 18-year-old son was arrested for the killing, officials said. Police said preliminary investigation suggests the accused, Armaan, had been pressuring his parents to get him married to his girlfriend immediately, while they insisted he could do so only after turning 21.

Armaan had first been detained for questioning and was later arrested for allegedly killing his father, Nitin Singh. He had earlier been arrested and later released on bail in a case linked to the deaths of two brothers after a Thar hit their bike in Chandigarh this year.

Nitin Singh was found dead at his house in Sector 22 with a gunshot injury to his head. Armaan, who had argued with his parents on Thursday evening, was at home at the time, along with his mother. "Armaan, who was detained for questioning, has been arrested," Sector 17 SHO Sudesh Kumar told PTI over the phone.

According to the SHO, Armaan also tried to attack his mother by grabbing her by the neck, but she ran to the rooftop and raised an alarm. Neighbours then rushed in and informed the police. A countrymade pistol was recovered from the spot.

"Police have registered a murder case. Provisions under the Arms Act have also been invoked for possessing and using an illegal weapon," the SHO said.

A woman from the neighbourhood said that after the incident, Armaan tried to portray it as if someone from outside had entered the house and committed the crime. Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, who visited the house, said, "We received a call in the morning. When police reached the spot, they found the head constable with a gunshot injury to his head." Nitin Singh was posted in the accounts branch at the police headquarters.

Police said Armaan had been involved in another case earlier this year. The SHO said he was driving his friend's Thar when it hit two brothers riding a bike at the Kalagram light point in Manimajra, killing them. He was arrested in that case and later released on bail.

"On Thursday evening, Armaan had an altercation with his parents. He wanted to marry a girl and wanted to marry her immediately. But his parents insisted that he could go ahead with the marriage only after he turns 21. Armaan was forcing his parents to bring the girl to their house, a demand which they turned down. He also demanded money for his various needs from his parents," the SHO said.

The officer also said the accused showed no remorse.

Armaan will be produced before a court on Saturday, and police will seek his remand to continue the investigation and find out where he got the countrymade weapon, the SHO said. - Ends