Ludhiana Wedding Horror: Gang Firing Leaves 2 Dead, 1 Injured
Reported by Anam Siddiqui
LUDHIANA — A wedding celebration in the Bath Castle banquet hall on Pakhowal Road turned into a scene of chaos and bloodshed late Saturday night, when rival gang members opened fire — leaving two guests dead and another severely injured. The Indian Express+2The Tribune+2
According to police, the shootout erupted after a heated confrontation between two local gangs — one led by Shubham Mota and the other by Ankur — both of whom were reportedly invited to the wedding by the groom, Varinder Kapoor. The brief altercation quickly escalated into a volley of bullets: officers estimate that 20–30 rounds were fired in the crowded hall. The Indian Express+2The Times of India+2
The victims have been identified as the groom’s aunt, Neeru Chhabra, and the groom’s neighbour, Vasu Chopra. The injured person — reportedly from the accused group — is receiving treatment, police said. The Indian Express+2Punjab News Express+2
In the aftermath, authorities registered a murder FIR against Mota, Ankur and several of their associates. They have arrested nine suspects so far, including the key accused Ankur. Investigators also filed separate FIRs against the wedding venue’s security guards for allegedly allowing armed individuals inside, and against certain associates for harbouring the accused post-firing. The Indian Express+2Hindustan Times+2
Meanwhile, the marriage hall has been sealed — and its permit suspended — pending further inquiry. The groom has been booked for criminal negligence for having allegedly invited known criminals to the wedding, while police continue their hunt for Mota, who remains absconding.
