Ex-Namdhari sect chief's wife shot at, succumbs to injuries

The wife of a former Namdhari sect chief was shot dead on Monday by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants at Bhaini Sahib, about 30 kms from Ludhiana, police said.

Bibi Chand Kaur (85), who suffered two bullet injuries this morning, was admitted to a Ludhiana hospital in critical condition, DCP Ludhiana Dhurman Nimbley said, adding she succumbed to her injuries this afternoon. He said the assailants opened fire at her when she came out in a club car from the premises of Namdhari Academy after offering prayers at a function organised on the eve of the opening of the new education session at Bhaini Sahib, the international headquarters of the sect.

Her post-mortem examination was performed amid tight security at civil hospital in Ludhiana. She would be cremated tomorrow at Bhaini Sahib, said Surinder Singh, President Vishav Namdhari Sangat. Police said a case had been registered and investigation is underway.

Notably, Bibi Chand Kaur had played a vital role in declaring Thakur Udey Singh as successor to her husband Satguru Jagjit Singh, paving the way for his elevation as the head of the sect. Her decision was strongly opposed by Thakur Dalip Singh, elder brother of the present Namdhari chief Thakur Udey Singh.