In a dramatic case of late-night abduction, four men dressed as Nihang Sikhs allegedly intercepted a couple returning from a movie in the early hours of July 11 at Mohali’s Lakhnaur Turn. The assailants forcibly removed the driver and fled with the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, along with the woman in the passenger seat, reported Hindustan Times. Remarkably, the police recovered the car and the young woman unharmed within ten hours.
The incident began shortly after midnight, as the couple drove away from Bestech Mall in Sector 66. Eyewitnesses describe how the four men, reportedly armed and riding motorcycles, surrounded the vehicle. One man was dragged out while the others allegedly harassed the passenger before speeding away with the SUV and the woman still inside.
This sudden disappearance prompted an immediate response from Mohali police. Senior Superintendent of Police Harmandeep Singh Hans revealed that the investigation team worked through the night, examining CCTV feeds and toll plaza footage. Their efforts led them to track the stolen vehicle across state lines and into a gurdwara compound in Shahbad, Haryana, where the suspects had sought refuge and set the woman free near a mall.
Police sources say the suspects were found living together in a PG accommodation near Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan in Sohana, Mohali. They were identified as Shamsher Singh, Satnam Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Chander Mohan alias Jaildar. During their initial interrogation, one—Shamsher—admitted to being a granthi, while Satnam Singh worked as a cab driver and the other two were employed as security guards. Investigators indicated that the group had planned to sell the vehicle in Delhi and may have links to other criminal activities.
The rescue operation involved seamless cooperation between Mohali and Haryana police, local village leaders, and gurdwara authorities. The Mohali SSP praised the whole team for their swift action, which ensured the safe recovery of both the woman and the vehicle within ten hours of the crime being committed.
A case has been registered at Sohana police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges include abduction, carjacking, wrongful confinement, and impersonation by disguising themselves as Nihang warriors. Legal proceedings are now underway, and further investigations aim to uncover any additional offences linked to the suspects.
Why This Case Resonated
The incident reignited conversations about the misuse of sacred imagery. Nihangs are a revered Sikh warrior order historically dedicated to martial duty and protecting the faith. In recent years, several observers have voiced concerns that impersonators wear Nihang attire to exploit their symbolic weight during illicit acts.
Despite the shocking nature of this abduction, the swift and coordinated police response ended the crisis without physical harm. Officials emphasized that public alertness—coming forward with footage and details—played a key role in achieving a successful resolution.
Photo Credit: HT
