Ludhiana woman who was mowed down by speeding car was killed by lover: Police
Ludhiana, May 22: A 33-year-old woman, identified as Sweety Arora, who was mowed down by a speeding SUV near Suffian Chowk in Ludhiana on May 11, was murdered. Earlier, it was being assumed as an accident. However, upon the scrutiny of CCTV video, the police came to know that it was a premeditated murder, which was planned by a resident of Mohali with whom she had a relationship.
Earlier, the police had registered a case against an unidentified person for rash driving and causing death by negligence. However, following an investigation, the police have now amended the charges to include Section 302 (murder) and Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The Division Number 3 police have arrested two main accused: Lakhwinder Singh Lakha, a businessman from Mohali involved in importing mobile phones, and his driver Kulwinder Singh Pinda from Tarn Taran. The duo allegedly hired Ajmer Singh of Amritsar to carry out the murder. Ajmer Singh, who executed the fatal hit-and-run, is currently absconding.
On the morning of May 11, Sweety Arora, a resident of Hargobind Nagar, was following her usual routine by heading to a gym near Suffian Chowk. As she walked on the side of the road median, a speeding Mahindra XYLO (license plate PB-09-L-2985) struck her. The incident, captured by a nearby CCTV camera, showed the car deliberately veering towards Sweety before hitting her. After the collision, the car occupant alighted from the vehicle, confirmed Sweety's death, and then fled the scene.
The Ludhiana police said the CCTV footage raised suspicions of foul play. “The road was virtually empty at 5.30 am, and yet the car hit her, which indicated a deliberate act. The driver’s actions after the incident further pointed to premeditation,” he said.
The investigation revealed that Sweety and Lakhwinder were in a relationship. Lakhwinder’s wife had died long ago, Sweety was unmarried. Recently, Lakhwinder got engaged to another woman, causing significant tension between him and Sweety. She pressured him to marry her, but he was unwilling to do so. This led Lakhwinder to devise a plan to eliminate Sweety.
The police said for three days, Ajmer trailed Sweety to identify the best opportunity for the hit. On the chosen day, he executed the plan, running her down with the SUV.
The police have arrested Lakhwinder Singh and Kulwinder Singh, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend Ajmer Singh.
- With inputs from our correspondent
