Chandigarh

Police have registered a case against two persons, including an overseas-based gangster, in connection with the daylight killing of Aam Aadmi Party leader Lucky Oberoi in Jalandhar, with investigators suspecting personal rivalry as the motive behind the crime, officials said on Saturday.

Those booked include gangster Jograj Singh, also known as Joga Pholriwal, who allegedly claimed responsibility for the murder through an unverified social media post, and one Dalbira. The FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act at Division No. 6 police station in Jalandhar Commissionerate, based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s family.

Police said the actual shooter and his accomplice, both captured on CCTV footage, are yet to be identified. Multiple teams have been formed to track them down.

Oberoi, 43, was shot dead around 7.30 am on Friday outside a gurdwara in the Model Town area of Jalandhar, moments after he stepped out of the shrine following prayers. CCTV visuals show a man wearing a black hoodie approaching Oberoi as he sat inside his Mahindra Thar, opening fire at close range before fleeing. The shooter escaped on a two-wheeler, where an accomplice was waiting.

Satwinderpal Singh, popularly known as Lucky Oberoi, was a financier by profession and served as AAP’s ward in-charge in the Jalandhar Cantonment area.

Soon after the incident, an unverified social media post surfaced, purportedly from Joga Pholriwal, in which responsibility for the killing was claimed. The post alleged that Oberoi was targeted due to personal enmity and referred to a dispute linked to the presidency of a college students’ body.

A senior police officer said both Joga Pholriwal and Dalbira have been named in the FIR. Joga, a native of Pholriwal village in Jalandhar district, is believed to be residing abroad.

Police sources said Oberoi and Joga were once close associates, with old social media posts showing them together. However, their relationship reportedly deteriorated over disagreements related to the election of the students’ union president at Khalsa College.

Oberoi’s brother, Damandeep Singh, whose statement led to the registration of the FIR, alleged that Joga and Dalbira had issued threats to Oberoi in the past. Police, however, noted that no formal complaint regarding the alleged threats had been lodged earlier.

On the day of the incident, Oberoi had gone to the gurdwara along with his brother and a friend. Investigators said the attackers fled the scene on a Honda Activa, both wearing hooded sweatshirts.

READ MORE: Muslims must prioritise education for girls: Ex-Maha minister Anees Majeed Ahmed

Meanwhile, opposition parties including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP criticised the AAP-led Punjab government, alleging a deterioration in the state’s law and order situation following the killing.