Punjab Police Nab NRI in Fauja Singh Hit-and-Run Case Within 30 Hours
The Punjab Police on Tuesday night arrested Canada-based Amritpal Singh Dhillon, the man accused of ramming his car into 114-year-old marathon legend Fauja Singh on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway before fleeing the scene.
The arrest came just a day after the world’s oldest marathon runner died from a severe head injury sustained in the road accident. The police claim they cracked the high-profile case in just 30 hours, bringing some closure to shocked admirers of the iconic athlete.
How The Tragedy Unfolded
On Monday, Fauja Singh, fondly known worldwide as the “Turbaned Tornado,” left his home in Bias village, Jalandhar, for his usual post-lunch walk — a routine that symbolised his lifelong dedication to fitness and longevity.
Moments before the fatal collision, CCTV footage captured Singh walking calmly down the road, stopping briefly before resuming his walk. Just 120 meters from his home, at 3:08 pm, he was struck by a speeding Toyota Fortuner while attempting to cross the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway.
Despite immediate medical attention, Singh succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, sending shockwaves through the community and sparking outrage over reckless driving and hit-and-run incidents.
Forensic Clues and CCTV Led To Breakthrough
Addressing the press, Harvinder Singh Virk, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jalandhar Rural, explained how the team cracked the case swiftly despite limited initial leads.
At the accident site, investigators found broken headlight fragments, which turned out to be the biggest clue. These pieces were sent to an automotive expert, who confirmed they belonged to an older model Toyota Fortuner.
Police then reviewed CCTV footage from cameras along the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway between 3 pm and 4 pm. Over 40 vehicles passed during that window, but the team zeroed in on the suspected Fortuner by cross-checking registration details.
The number plate traced the vehicle back to Varinder Singh, a resident of Kapurthala. When questioned, Varinder revealed he had sold the car to Amritpal Singh Dhillon, providing investigators the final link to identify the accused driver.
Who Is Amritpal Singh Dhillon?
The 26-year-old Amritpal Singh Dhillon hails originally from Kartarpur in Jalandhar district. He moved to Canada eight years ago, after his father’s death, and now lives there with his mother and three sisters. Working as a labourer, Dhillon holds a valid Canadian work permit till 2027 and reportedly visits Punjab once every year.
This year, he arrived in India on June 23, intending to oversee repairs to his ancestral home. During interrogation, Dhillon confessed he was driving home after selling his mobile phone when the accident occurred. Panicking after the impact, he fled the scene. He also claimed he was unaware that the victim was the legendary Fauja Singh and only realised the identity later through news reports.
Arrest Made In Native Village
Police tracked Dhillon down and arrested him at his native village in Kartarpur late Tuesday night. He has reportedly confessed to the crime during questioning. The authorities have praised the investigation team for acting swiftly, piecing together physical evidence, CCTV footage, and local leads to solve the case in record time.
Fauja Singh: An Unmatched Legacy
Fauja Singh, celebrated globally for running marathons well past the age of 100, was a symbol of endurance and the human spirit. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief from the sporting world, the Punjabi community, and millions who drew inspiration from his record-breaking runs, positive attitude, and lifelong message: “Age is no barrier.”
