Nihang Sikh groups protests in Ludhiana, demands fresh probe into 2023 death case

Ludhiana, Jul 13 (PTI) Nihang Sikh groups staged a six-hour protest outside the Police Commissioner's office on Ferozepur Road here on Monday, demanding a fresh probe into the 2023 death of a Gatka player. The protesters blocked the road from around 11 am to 5 pm, bringing traffic on one of the city's busiest stretches to a standstill and causing long queues and hours-long delays for commuters. They sought justice for Raghbir Singh, 28, a resident of Ballowal village, who went missing on October 5, 2023. His decomposed body was found three days later on a vacant plot in Pakhowal. His family has alleged murder, claiming both his hands were missing and his face was badly decomposed. The Sadar police had initially registered a case of murder against unidentified people. However, probe and forensic findings did not support the allegation. A Special Investigation Team formed in September 2025 also concluded that the death was natural. SHO Jagdeep Dhaliwal said experts believed the hands were likely mutilated by animals after death. The family, however, has rejected the findings and demanded a CBI inquiry. Ludhiana ACP Sarabjit Singh met the protesters and advised them to approach the court for a CBI probe. The blockade was lifted after officials assured them that their concerns would be examined. The protest came just a day after another Nihang Sikh group blocked the Ladhowal toll plaza for nearly five hours over allegations that a YouTuber had hurt religious sentiments. PTI COR SUN RHL