Man accused of Shiv Sena leader's murder in Punjab to contest Lok Sabha polls

Sandeep Singh Sunny, who allegedly killed a Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri in 2022, will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Punjab. Sunny will contest polls from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat. The announcement was made by some Sikh organizations during a press conference with Sandeep Singh Sunny's family.

Sandeep Singh Sunny is currently lodged in a Punjab jail.

Sunny was arrested and later sent to judicial custody after he allegedly murdered Suri outside Gopal Mandir in Amritsar in November 2022 in broad daylight. The Shiv Sena leader was killed with Sandeep Singh Sunny's licensed weapon.

Security forces were there with Shiv Sena leader when he was shot dead while staging a 'dharna' (protest) outside a temple in the city. Puri was rushed to hospital and succumbed to his injuries later.

Sunny used to run a garment shop which was right in front of the Shiv Sena leader's protest site. A scuffle broke out between the two when Sunny asked Suri to stop the demonstration. As the scuffle escalated, Sunny shot Suri with his gun.

As the electoral race heats up, the political landscape sees diverse contenders vying for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat.

The Congress reaffirms its support for Gurjeet Singh Aujla, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pins its hopes on its Cabinet Minister and Ajnala MLA, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. The BJP presents former IFS officer Taranjit Singh Sandhu as its nominee, while the Shiromani Akali Dal entrusts the candidacy to Anil Joshi, a former BJP member.

Amritsar has historically been a high-profile constituency. Navjot Singh Sidhu secured victories for the BJP in 2004, 2007 (by-poll), and 2009.

Punjab will vote in the seventh and final phase of polling on June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.