Neelam Rani Arrested in Punjab Anti-Drug Activist Murder Case
Neelam Rani, wife of the main suspect, is detained for aiding her husband's escape post-murder.
Neelam Rani arrested for assisting Ashwani Kumar's flight.
Ashwani Kumar and another suspect are in police custody for seven days.
Statewide bandh in Punjab saw widespread participation and disruptions.
Neelam Rani, the spouse of Ashwani Kumar, the primary suspect in the murder of anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh, has been taken into custody by the police. Her arrest follows allegations that she aided her husband in fleeing after the crime, which occurred on October 13. Authorities are currently interrogating her as part of the ongoing investigation into the case.
Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Vhaudhary confirmed the arrest and stated that Neelam Rani's involvement in the incident is under scrutiny. It has been reported that she was employed as a pharmacist at her husband's medical store. Meanwhile, Ashwani Kumar has been placed in police custody for a duration of seven days following his court appearance on Thursday, alongside another accused individual, Vipin.
The murder of Parwinder Singh has triggered a significant response across Punjab, leading to a statewide bandh that resulted in the closure of markets and educational institutions. Highways were blocked, and public transportation faced severe disruptions as demonstrators rallied in support of the anti-drug activist. Emergency services remained functional, but police were deployed to manage the situation and prevent forced closures in various locations.
Shops in multiple towns, including Mansa, Bathinda, Sangrur, and Amritsar, remained closed as part of the protest. Many private schools declared holidays, and toll collections at certain plazas in Ludhiana and Patiala were suspended in solidarity with the bandh. The protest garnered support from various political parties, including Congress, BJP, SAD, and several farmer and youth organizations, highlighting the widespread outrage over the activist's murder.
Looking ahead, the investigation into the murder case continues, with police focusing on the roles of both Neelam Rani and Ashwani Kumar. Further developments are anticipated as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the circumstances surrounding the crime and the subsequent public response.
