A 70-year-old NRI from California, Bahadur Singh, was arrested on Saturday after allegedly shooting dead his 35-year-old nephew Navdeep Singh over a long-standing 30-acre land dispute in Machhike village, Nihal Singh Wala subdivision of Moga district. The incident occurred in broad daylight in the middle of the village, sending shockwaves through the area.
Police said Bahadur Singh, who had returned from the United States about a month ago to settle the property row, opened fire with his licensed .32-bore revolver during a heated confrontation with Navdeep. The single bullet struck Navdeep in the chest, killing him on the spot. Witnesses claimed the argument had been simmering for years and had previously reached civil courts.
In a chilling attempt to flee, Bahadur Singh allegedly drove his SUV directly over his nephew’s body lying on the village road. Villagers and enraged family members chased the vehicle, blocked its path, and overpowered the elderly accused before handing him over to the police.
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Bahadur Singh had been living in California for several decades with his five children and held a valid arms licence for the revolver used in the crime. Sources said he had come back specifically to resolve the land dispute, which both uncle and nephew claimed rightful ownership of.
Moga Senior Superintendent of Police Narinder Bhargav confirmed that a case of murder under Section 302 of the IPC and relevant sections of the Arms Act has been registered. The accused is in custody, and the weapon has been seized.
The body of Navdeep Singh has been sent for post-mortem, while investigators are recording statements from family members and villagers to establish the full sequence of events. The incident has once again highlighted the violent turn that prolonged family property disputes can take in rural Punjab.
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