Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana high court advocate J P S Chadha, who was arrested for allegedly opening fire at his landlady, Manvinder Kaur (57), was produced in a local court on Sunday and remanded in 14 days’ judicial custody.Recoveries from his house include a .12 bore double-barrel gun allegedly used in the attack and a revolver. The victim, wife of house owner Rajinder Kaura, suffered gun splinter injuries to her face and head. She is undergoing treatment in PGI and is reported to be out of danger.On Saturday, Manvinder accompanied a police team and court bailiff Shyam Sunder to execute a court order for restoration of possession of her husband’s house in Sector 42. Accused J P S Chadha was alone inside the flat at the time.Police said the house was locked from inside, and officers repeatedly asked Chadha to open the door. He allegedly refused, keeping the team waiting for nearly 45 minutes. Acting on the court’s directions, police then proceeded to break open the lock.According to the police, as officers and the victim attempted to enter the house after breaking the lock, Chadha allegedly came out onto the balcony and opened fire, striking Manvinder.Sector 36 police, led by DSP (South) Dheeraj Kumar and other officers, reached the spot shortly after. Forensic experts examined the scene and statements of eyewitnesses were recorded.Based on a complaint by court bailiff Shyam Sunder, Sector 36 police registered a case against Chadha under BNS and the Arms Act before arresting him.DSP Kumar confirmed that the house had originally been rented to the advocate and that the owner had obtained a court order for restoration of possession, adding that the team was attacked while attempting to carry out the court’s directions.‘Self-Defence’, Says SonThe accused’s son, Dhruv Chadha, disputed the police version, claiming his father was alone inside when seven to eight individuals allegedly attempted to force their way in.“My father fired in self-defence. We have been in possession of the flat for the past 36 years and have paid six years’ advance rent. No one, including the police, has the right to enter a person’s house forcibly,” he asserted.Dhruv added that the family had obtained a court stay order against the eviction. However, police maintained that no such stay order was produced prior to the firing. Further investigation is underway.
