Jalandhar: An FIR has been registered against senior IAS officer Babita Kaler, her husband and Aam Aadmi Party leader Stephen Kaler, and their gunman in connection with the shooting of a plot owner in the posh Baradari area near PIMS Hospital on Saturday morning. The FIR was lodged late Saturday night at Division Number 7 police station.
The incident reportedly took place following a dispute over soil dumping between the Kalers and the owners of an adjacent plot.
During the altercation, gunman Sukhkaran Singh allegedly opened fire, injuring the victim’s brother. The bullet, fired from a government-issued weapon, struck the man in the thigh—entering one leg and exiting through the other. He is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
Police have arrested the gunman and seized the weapon used in the incident. A letter has also been sent to the department seeking Sukhkaran’s suspension. He will soon be produced in court and taken on remand for interrogation.
“We will question the gunman to ascertain whether the firing was done under pressure or if there was any immediate threat,” said ADCP Harinder Singh Gill. “Based on the remand interrogation, Babita Kaler and her husband will also be brought into the investigation. If they fail to cooperate, they will be arrested.”
The case has been registered under various sections, including provisions of the Arms Act. Police said notices will soon be served to both Babita and Stephen Kaler as part of the investigation process.
