Punjab Right Wing Leader Sudhir Suri Shot Dead: What Police Chief Said On Probe

Sudhir Suri was mainly known for his aggressive, allegedly communal video messages on social media

A local shopkeeper was the one who shot Sudhir Suri, one of Punjab's most prominent Hindu right wing leaders, in Amritsar today when he was on a sit-in protest outside a temple over alleged sacrilege of Hindu idols and images.

State police chief Gaurav Yadav said he died at the hospital, due to the gunshot injuries. "He was on a dharna over a dispute of Gopal Mandir management. The attacker has a garment shop there. He fired bullets from his licensed .32-bore revolver. Some of the bullets hit [Sudhir Suri] and he was taken to hospital immediately," DGP Yadav said.

"The accused, Sandeep Singh Sunny, was taken into custody from the spot itself. His interrogation is on. We have registered a case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code," he added, but did not share more specifics about the direction of the probe.

Leader of a local outfit that uses the name Shiv Sena Taksali, Sudhir Suri was mainly known for his aggressive — often abusive and allegedly communal — video messages on social media targeting some Sikh outfits and Khalistan supporters in particular. Police have not drawn a connection, though unconfirmed theories floated on social media.