Sham Mall owner’s murder still a mystery

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 26

City’s leading businessman Amarjeet Singh, owner of Sham Fashion Mall, was shot dead by two unidentified motorcyclists outside his house in Sector 35 here on May 5, 2009. Even eight years after the incident, the murder mystery remains unsolved.

The murder case caused ripples and left the city shocked raising concerns over the safety of the traders in the city.

A SIT was constituted by the Chandigarh Police to crack the case, which failed to make any headway. The police claimed to have worked on many theories. However, they failed to make any headway.

In 2010, on a petition filed by Khurana’s family, the Punjab and Haryana High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI. The CBI also started working on various theories.

In the meantime, the UT Police busted a gang of six robbers hailing from West Bengal and Bihar who had confessed to having shot the owner of Sham Fashion Mall. The questioning of the robbers had revealed that two of the gang members, identified as Manu Gawala and Rahul Gawala, hailing from West Bengal, had shot Amarjeet Singh dead, while the remaining four robbers had conducted a recce of the house. They tried to snatch his bag. As Amarjeet resisted their attempt, they shot him dead. However, the police and the CBI failed to establish the robbers’ confession in the murder case as no evidence was found.

During the course of the investigation, the family announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for giving clues in the case. It was raised to Rs 20 lakh by the family in 2012. However, it turned out to be of no help.

Sources said the CBI in communication to the police had also pointed out the lapses in the initial investigation that had led to dead end in the case. Call records of the deceased and suspects, along with the mobile tower dumps of various service providers on the date of occurrence of crime, were not taken. The case still remains a mystery for the victim’s family and both investigating agencies. The CBI had filed a closure report in the case, which was accepted in February, 2016.

Timeline 

May 5, 2009: Amarjeet Singh shot dead outside his house in Sector 35

Oct 2010: Case transferred to the CBI

Nov 27, 2012: CBI submits closure report. However, the court refused to accept it 

Aug 5, 2014: Court orders fresh investigation 

Jan 8, 2015: Second closure report filed

Jan 18, 2016: Family objects to closure report 

Feb 9, 2016: Special CBI court accepts closure report