Police uncover Rs 15L insurance murder plot; friend held for staging drowning | Chandigarh News
Patiala: Police claimed to have cracked a nearly three-month-old suspected drowning case in Punjab’s Sangrur district, calling the death a premeditated murder motivated by insurance fraudOne accused has been arrested, and efforts are underway to apprehend his accomplice, said police. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Sartaj Singh Chahal said the body of Krishan, 51, a resident of Ramgarh Gujran village under Khanouri police station, was found in a water channel in agricultural fields on Nov 25 last year. The death appeared to be accidental drowning, and the family conducted the last rites accordingly. Police said suspicions arose weeks later when a life insurance policy document was delivered to the deceased’s home. The policy, issued on Nov 19, 2025, named Sonu as the nominee, and the first premium had already been paid. Further doubts emerged when representatives of a private finance company limited approached the family regarding unpaid instalments on a loan taken in Krishan’s name for an SUV. Police said the loan was insured through a company, again naming Sonu as nominee. Police registered an FIR on Feb 22 under sections 103 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Sonu and his associate Gurpreet Singh, both residents of the same village. According to SSP Chahal, the accused allegedly spent months orchestrating the scheme by opening a bank account in Krishan’s name, securing an Rs 8.12 lakh vehicle loan, and obtaining a Rs 15 lakh life insurance policy. The accused even paid the annual premium of Rs 1.35 lakh themselves to ensure the payout. During interrogation following his arrest on Feb 22, Sonu allegedly confessed that he and his accomplice targeted Krishan, who was unmarried and known to consume alcohol regularly. Police alleged that on Nov 24, 2025, the accused took Krishan to agricultural fields, where they consumed alcohol together. Police said that once he was heavily intoxicated, they allegedly drowned him in a water channel to stage the incident as an accidental death. Sonu, who owns around seven acres of land and is father of three kids, was remanded to police custody for further questioning. Police said they were conducting raids to arrest the second accused, Gupreet Singh Soni.
