In a major breakthrough in the high-profile murder case of Aam Aadmi Party leader Satwinderpal Singh alias Lucky Oberoi, the Punjab Police have arrested the prime accused following a brief exchange of fire in the Khasa area of Amritsar. The operation was carried out by the Amritsar Rural Police as part of the state-wide drive to strengthen law and order, in line with the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Border Range) Sandeep Goel confirmed the arrest, stating that the accused, identified as Shaminder Singh, a resident of Mithapur in Jalandhar, was apprehended after attempting to flee from the police. A Beretta .30 bore pistol was recovered from his possession during the operation. Police officials also revealed that Shaminder Singh is a habitual offender with a prior criminal record.
According to official information, Lucky Oberoi was shot dead on Friday morning outside the Gurudwara Singh Sabha parking area in Model Town, Jalandhar, shortly after he paid obeisance. The attackers, riding a white Activa scooter, opened fire and fled the scene, triggering widespread outrage and concern over law and order in the region.
DIG Sandeep Goel said that immediately after the हत्या, coordinated intelligence and technical surveillance efforts were launched to identify and track the perpetrators. Acting on specific and credible intelligence inputs, police learned that one of the key suspects was hiding in the Khasa area of Amritsar in an attempt to evade arrest. Following this information, Amritsar Rural Police teams laid multiple nakas (checkpoints) and intensified checking operations across adjoining areas.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Amritsar Rural) Suhail Qasim Mir provided further details of the encounter. He said that during the operation, the accused was spotted approaching on a two-wheeler. When police signalled him to stop, he panicked, tried to turn back, lost control of the vehicle and fell. In a desperate attempt to escape, the accused opened fire on the police team. The police responded in self-defence, leading to retaliatory firing in which the accused sustained a gunshot injury. He was immediately overpowered, arrested, and shifted to a hospital for medical treatment.
During preliminary interrogation, Shaminder Singh reportedly made crucial disclosures about the involvement of another individual in the murder of Lucky Oberoi. Based on these revelations, Punjab Police have launched further raids and follow-up operations to trace and arrest the remaining accused involved in the conspiracy and execution of the crime.
A formal case has already been registered in this matter. FIR No. 25 dated 06/02/2026 has been lodged at Police Station Division 6, Jalandhar Commissionerate, under Sections 103(1), 3(5) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.
Senior police officials described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the case, underlining that the Punjab Police are committed to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring accountability in serious crimes. The development is being seen as a strong message against organised violence and targeted killings in the state, as investigations continue to uncover the full conspiracy behind the murder of Lucky Oberoi.
