Mohali, 9 December 2024: A local court has denied bail to gangster Sukhpreet Singh, alias Budha, accused of attempting to murder Punjabi singer and music director Parmish Verma and his friend in April 2018.
This was Singh’s second bail application. His defense argued a lack of evidence linking him to the crime. Counsel for the accused claimed Singh was not in India at the time of the incident, stating he was in Armenia and later deported to India. “False recoveries have been planted on the applicant. The complainant, being a celebrity, has avoided appearing in court to depose. Keeping the applicant in custody indefinitely serves no purpose as the trial’s conclusion will take time,” the defense argued.
Countering these claims, public prosecutor Ravinder Singh opposed the bail plea, citing the severity of the allegations. He contended that Singh and his accomplices had opened fire on Verma and his friend with the intent to kill. “Witnesses are hesitant to come forward due to fear of the accused. The prosecution is working to secure their testimonies for an expedited trial. If released, the applicant might abscond or intimidate witnesses,” the prosecutor warned.
After hearing arguments, Additional Sessions Judge Ajit Atri rejected Singh’s plea, citing the grave nature of the allegations. “Material witnesses are yet to be examined, and there is no substantial change in circumstances since the dismissal of the first bail application. Considering the gravity of the offence, the applicant does not merit bail,” the court stated in its order.
The case dates back to April 14, 2018, when Parmish Verma and his friend, Kulwant Singh Chahal, were ambushed while driving Verma’s Toyota Fortuner toward Homeland Apartments. According to police, five men in a white Hyundai Creta fired at the vehicle, injuring both victims in their right knees. Despite their injuries, Verma and Chahal managed to accelerate to safety as the assailants continued their pursuit, shattering the Fortuner’s windows with additional gunfire.
A case of attempted murder and rioting was subsequently registered at Phase 1 police station.