Days after a prominent businessman was shot dead in Bihar, another similar incident took place in Punjab’s Abohar, where a businessman was shot dead on Monday by three bike-borne assailants in broad daylight.
The deceased, Sanjay Verma, was a co-owner of the ‘New Wear Well Gents Tailor’ showroom. He was attacked near Bhagat Singh Chowk, a bustling commercial area in the city.
The incident took place when Verma had just stepped out of his car near his showroom. He was shot at several times by the bikers, whose motorcycle skidded as they tried to drive away. After their bike fell, they ran for some distance and then snatched another bike from a commuter to escape the spot, news agency PTI reported.
Verma was immediately rushed to a local civil hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. His body has been sent for post-mortem and is in the hospital mortuary where his family and relatives gathered. Abohar MLA Amandeep Singh Goldy also visited the hospital shortly after the incident to offer his condolences.
DIG Ferozepur range Harmanbir Singh Gill said that multiple angles are being probed and that the police have recovered four shells of gunshots with two different bores.
“We are investigating modus operandi… Someone took responsibility by posting a post. However, we will investigate whether this was done to confuse us… Initial investigation suggests three people were on a motorcycle; an update on their involvement will follow. CCTV footage and other materials assist us in solving the case,” he said.
#WATCH | Abohar, Punjab: DIG Ferozepur range Harmanbir Singh Gill says, “Sanjay, a clothing showroom owner, was shot and died around 10 am today. We are investigating from multiple angles, have solid leads, and will soon trace the criminals involved… We have found 4 shells of… pic.twitter.com/g2vhFCua25
— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2025
An investigation has been launched into the murder by Fazilka Senior Superintendent of Police Gurmeet Singh. Additionally, all entry and exit points of the town have been closed, and the region is on high alert. A massive police deployment was also done in the area.
Several trade associations have called for a complete shutdown of markets in protest against the businessman’s killing.
Oppn Slams AAP Govt Over ‘Jungle Raj’
Opposition parties in Punjab came down heavily on the Aam Aadmi Party-led government over the state’s law and order, demanding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said the law and order in Punjab has “plummeted to its lowest point.” “The shocking daylight murder of Sanjay Verma, owner of The New Wear Well Tailors in Abohar, underscores the prevailing jungle raaj. Businessmen and professionals including doctors, artists & athletes are facing grave threats from extortionists,” he said.
“I strongly condemn this brutal killing and offer heartfelt condolences to the Verma family. The perpetrators must be arrested immediately and brought to justice,” Badal said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Punjab BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar said the murder was an “eerie reminder” of the collapsing law and order in the state.
In a post on X, he wrote: “Deafening silence of the AAP Government after each such killing only emboldens the gangsters. CM Bhagwant Mann must tell Punjabis who is responsible for this blot on Punjab’s name. Wake up, it’s already too late.”
Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa demanded Mann’s resignation over the businessman’s killing, saying “Punjab’s law and order is in shambles. The govt must hold a serious discussion on public safety in the upcoming Assembly session.”
“This is not governance. This is complete lawlessness. @AAPPunjab has handed Punjab over to bullets and bloodshed,” the leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly said.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that the state was turning into a “gangland” under AAP’s rule. “What is the @PunjabPoliceInd doing? This calls for stringent action lest the situation gets completely out of control,” Warring said on X.
