Retired Punjab Police SI’s wife shot dead in Hoshiarpur while returning from religious site

PTC Web Desk:  A 62-year-old woman, wife of a retired Punjab Police sub-inspector, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district early Saturday morning, triggering concerns over law and order in the state.

The victim, identified as Rachna Devi, a resident of Mehdwani village in the Garhshankar area, was returning home on foot after offering prayers at a nearby religious site when she was attacked around 5 am. According to police and family members, the woman was alone at the time of the incident.

Police officials said the attackers approached the woman from the front and fired three bullets, all of which struck her body. She collapsed on the spot. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing gunshots and immediately took her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

The assailants managed to flee under the cover of darkness. The area reportedly had poor lighting, which helped the attackers escape.

Family members told the police that Rachna Devi regularly visited the religious site in the early hours, suggesting the attackers may have been aware of her routine. CCTV cameras are installed at the religious hut and nearby locations, but the police said their range was limited. Authorities suspect the murder was pre-planned.

The victim’s husband, Shyamlal, retired as a sub-inspector from the Punjab Police two years ago. The family has been living in Mehdwani village since his retirement.

Senior police officials who reached the spot said the attackers have not yet been identified. CCTV footage from nearby shops, religious places, and surrounding areas is being examined. The police are also recording statements from family members to determine whether the woman had any personal enmity or threats.

The area was sealed briefly following the incident as part of the investigation.

Reacting to the incident, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal criticised the Punjab Government, alleging a complete breakdown of law and order. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said consecutive violent incidents, including the killing of a former police officer’s wife, highlight the deteriorating security situation in the state. He claimed that neither religious places nor elderly citizens are safe and demanded Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation, citing moral responsibility.

The murder has added to growing concerns over rising violent crime in Punjab, with opposition leaders alleging that police action against organised crime and gang activity has failed to curb bloodshed.

The police said further action will be taken once more evidence is gathered.