KHARAR, Sept. 22 — A week after a property dealer was found stabbed to death near Skylark Apartments here, police arrested the accused, a lawyer by qualification, after his discharge from a Mohali hospital.
The suspect, identified as Mukand Bhaskar, was taken into custody for the killing of 38-year-old Harvinder Singh, a local resident. Police said Bhaskar also sustained injuries in the fight and was under treatment at the Phase-6 Civil Hospital until his arrest. Harvinder’s friend, Lucky, who was wounded in the same incident, has since been discharged from the hospital, confirmed ASI Bawinder Sharma.
Harvinder was discovered with multiple stab wounds in the early hours of Sept. 13, while Lucky was found nearby with serious injuries. Harvinder was declared dead on the spot.
Police investigations revealed that Harvinder and Bhaskar had known each other for years. Harvinder, who earlier ran a Chinese food shop before moving into property dealing, first met Bhaskar when the lawyer visited his eatery. The two men had a history of disagreements that often escalated into fights but were resolved through compromises. Harvinder had even told Bhaskar he could assist him if he ever needed help in purchasing property, officers said.
On the night of the incident, Harvinder, Lucky and Bhaskar had gathered for drinks. Police said the trio, under the influence of alcohol, began arguing around midnight. “This incident did not arise from a serious dispute, it stemmed from minor disagreements between the individuals involved,” said Kharar DSP Karan Sandhu. “They had met around 11 p.m. and the unfortunate incident occurred around 3 a.m. During this period, all three were heavily under the influence of alcohol, which contributed to the escalation. Due to their inebriated state, they are unable to recall the exact point at which the argument intensified.”
According to investigators, Bhaskar admitted that Harvinder struck him on the leg during the altercation, following which he retaliated by stabbing him with a knife. Liquor glasses and other evidence recovered from the scene corroborated that the three had been drinking heavily.
Family members said Harvinder had left home at 8 p.m. on the evening of the incident, telling his wife he would return within an hour after buying school bags for their children. Later phone calls at 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. captured the voices of Lucky and another man in the background, suggesting he was in their company. When Harvinder did not return and his phone was switched off, his family grew concerned. By morning, they were informed he had been found dead near the apartment complex.
Police said Bhaskar is facing charges under Sections 103 (murder) and 109 (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators added that further interrogation would be required to establish the exact sequence of events leading up to the killing.
