Punjab Police has arrested a 30-year-old Non-Resident Indian (NRI) in connection with the hit-and-run death of legendary marathon runner Fauja Singh. The arrest of Amritpal Singh Dhillon, coupled with the recovery of the involved Fortuner SUV, came within 30 hours of the incident that claimed the life of the 114-year-old athlete.
Dhillon, a resident of Dasupur village in Kartarpur, Jalandhar, was taken into custody late on Tuesday night and is currently undergoing interrogation at the Bhogpur police station. He is expected to be presented in court today and is likely to be taken on police remand.
According to police, officials had compiled a list of suspect vehicles following the incident. Late Tuesday evening, authorities identified a Fortuner SUV. Intial probe also revealed the vehicle was registered in the name of Varinder Singh, a resident of Kapurthala.
Jalandhar police teams promptly proceeded to Kapurthala to question Varinder Singh. During questioning, Varinder disclosed that he had sold the car two years prior to Amritpal Singh Dhillon, an NRI who had recently returned from Canada.
Police also said that Dhillon has three sisters, and his mother resides in Canada.
Following the accident, Dhillon reportedly bypassed Jalandhar city and instead drove through various villages to reach his native village in Kartarpur, police said.
During preliminary questioning, Dhillon has reportedly confessed to his involvement. He stated that he was returning from Mukerian after selling his phone when his vehicle struck an elderly person near Bias Pind.
Dhillon claimed he was unaware at the time that the victim was Fauja Singh and only learnt of the marathoner's death later through news reports.
Fauja Singh, affectionately known as the "Turbaned Tornado", died on Monday after being struck by an unidentified vehicle while out for a walk in his native village of Bias in Jalandhar district.
Fauja Singh's death was confirmed by author Khushwant Singh. "My Turbaned Tornado is no more. It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my most revered S. Fauja Singh. He was struck by an unidentified vehicle around 3:30 pm today in his village, Bias, while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja," Khushwant Singh posted on X after speaking to the marathoner's family.
Source: India Today