The Crime Branch has arrested 28-year-old private laboratory owner Rahul Bisht in connection with the firing incident at Sewak Pharmacy in Sector 32 here, the Chandigarh Police said on Monday.
Police said Bisht allegedly played a key role in planning the attack, while efforts are on to trace the two shooters who are absconding. Bisht, who runs a diagnostic laboratory in Sector 32, was taken into custody following a sustained investigation into the Thursday night firing”.
According to police, Bisht allegedly shared sensitive information about the pharmacy and its owners with gangster Saba Gobindgarh, a close associate of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Sources said the accused acted out of a personal dispute with the pharmacy owners.
Based on technical surveillance and questioning, police said, he was identified as the prime conspirator in the case.
Following the firing, the pharmacy owners reportedly received an extortion call demanding Rs 2 crore, strengthening the angle of organised crime and extortion, police said, adding that this aspect is being probed thoroughly.
Police said that their teams are conducting raids at multiple locations to track down the two shooters involved in the crime.
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Police said they were also verifying the authenticity of a viral audio clip, in which a person identified himself as gangster Saba Gobindgarh and took responsibility for the attack. In the purported clip, the speaker allegedly names the owner of Sewak Pharmacy, levels allegations of “drug trafficking” and “issues threats to kill the shop owner or his family” if they approach the police. The audio reportedly also hints at more attacks, claiming a list of potential targets, according to police sources.
The firing incident took place around 9.50 pm on Thursday. According to police, two unidentified youths arrived at the spot on a scooter. One of them entered the pharmacy and fired two rounds at Tanish Luthra (23), one of the shop owners, allegedly with the intention to kill, before fleeing, police said.
One bullet struck the glass counter, while the other hit the lower portion of the counter, police said, adding that no one was injured in the incident.
In his complaint, Tanish told police that he was inside the shop along with a staff member when the firing occurred.
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Police said further investigation is underway, and more arrests are likely in the coming days.
