Munish Sood
Mandi
In a brazen daylight attack that has once again brought one of Himachal Pradesh’s most sensational criminal cases back into focus, an accused in the 2024 Bilaspur firing case was allegedly attacked with an axe by unidentified assailants in the presence of police personnel on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred on the Kiratpur-Nerchowk four-lane near the Mandi-Bharari bridge, has raised fresh questions over the security of undertrial prisoners and law and order in the state.
The injured has been identified as Sunny Gill (34), a resident of Ludhiana, Punjab, who was arrested last year in connection with the high-profile firing on Saurabh Patial alias ‘Phandi’ outside the Bilaspur District Court complex. Gill sustained grievous injuries in the latest attack and was initially rushed to the Civil Hospital before being referred for specialized treatment. His condition is stated to be critical.
Bilaspur Superintendent of Police Abhishek Dhiman confirmed the incident and said police have launched an investigation to identify the attackers. Search operations have been initiated, though no arrests had been reported till the filing of this report.
Attack allegedly carried out despite police presence
According to preliminary information, Sunny Gill was reportedly being taken for a court appearance when the attackers intercepted him near the Mandi-Bharari bridge on the Kiratpur-Nerchowk four-lane. Eyewitnesses claimed the assailants, who were travelling in a Bilaspur-registered car, attacked him repeatedly with an axe before fleeing the spot.
The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of police personnel escorting the accused. Local residents, commuters and police officials immediately shifted the injured to the Civil Hospital, where doctors provided emergency treatment before referring him for advanced medical care due to the seriousness of his injuries.
Video of incident emerges
A video purportedly recorded by a passerby shortly after the attack has surfaced on social media. The footage appears to show the injured man lying on the roadside while police personnel and members of the public gather around him. The person recording the video is heard expressing shock over the incident and claiming that the attack took place despite the presence of police officials. The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified by this publication.
Link to the sensational 2024 firing case
The latest attack has revived memories of the dramatic firing incident that took place on June 20, 2024, near the District Court complex, Circuit House and Shaheed Smarak in Bilaspur.
On that day, Saurabh Patial alias ‘Phandi’, the principal accused in the February 2024 attack on former Congress MLA Bambar Thakur, had arrived for a court hearing after obtaining bail. As he reached the court premises, two motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on him in broad daylight.
Patial suffered a bullet injury to his back, while several rounds also hit his vehicle, shattering its windows and triggering panic in the busy court complex. He was first taken to the Regional Hospital, Bilaspur, and later shifted to AIIMS Bilaspur after doctors referred him for specialized treatment.
Police investigation had led to multiple arrests
Following the 2024 firing, police arrested Sunny Gill from the spot and recovered a pistol from his possession. During the course of the investigation, another accused, Anmol Sharma alias Gaurav Nadda, was arrested for allegedly providing shelter to the shooter.
The investigation had suggested that the firing was the result of an old rivalry. During the probe, allegations also surfaced that the shooters had been hired to execute the attack, and the name of the son of former Congress MLA Bambar Thakur also figured in the investigation. Police had subsequently taken action as part of the probe. The case has since remained one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in the state.
Police yet to establish motive behind latest attack
Although the fresh assault has fuelled speculation that it may be linked to the continuing rivalry stemming from the 2024 firing case, police have so far not confirmed any connection. Officials said the motive behind Wednesday’s attack is being investigated and it would be premature to link the two incidents until evidence is examined.
Investigators are analysing CCTV footage from the area, questioning witnesses and examining the route taken by the attackers after they fled the scene. Police are also expected to examine the viral video as part of the investigation.
Law and order concerns resurface
The audacious nature of the attack, allegedly carried out in broad daylight and in the presence of police personnel, has reignited concerns over security arrangements for undertrial prisoners and the deteriorating law and order situation in the region.
With another violent incident now linked to the chain of events that began with the 2024 Bilaspur firing case, investigators are working to determine whether the latest assault was an act of retaliation, part of an ongoing gang rivalry or driven by an entirely different motive. Police said further details would emerge as the investigation progresses.
