Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Chandigarh Police have arrested Amreen Rai, a woman linked to the BJP in Punjab, for allegedly orchestrating the murder of property dealer Chamanpreet Singh alias Chinni Kubbaheri two months ago. Rai, who had been active in the Punjab BJP for the past two years and was also known for her social work, is reportedly related to a senior ADGP in Punjab.
According to police investigations, Amreen Rai hired Bambiha gang gangster Lucky Patial to execute the murder, offering a contract of ₹50 lakh over a land dispute involving 8 acres. Initially, the deal was negotiated at ₹1 crore but later settled for ₹50 lakh.
During interrogation, Rai revealed that she suspected Chamanpreet Singh of cheating her in property deals—allegedly selling land at inflated prices and failing to deliver possession—leading to financial losses. This suspicion eventually escalated into a deep-seated grudge and a murder conspiracy.
The connection between the two dates back nearly three years when Rai met Chamanpreet through her son, who used to work out at a gym in Sector 9. Chamanpreet, a property dealer, helped Rai invest in real estate. Their first deal proved profitable, encouraging further investments, including a major land deal in Fatehpur Tapperian.
According to Chamanpreet’s brother, Deep Inder, Rai had profited from earlier investments, including property in New Chandigarh. In the disputed deal, Rai was allotted approximately 34 kanal 8 marla of land. Despite the transaction being legally completed and profitable, misunderstandings reportedly arose after someone allegedly influenced Rai to believe her money had been misappropriated.
Police sources indicate that even though financial matters between the two were settled, Rai continued to harbor resentment. Investigations revealed that Harshpreet Singh, a property dealer from Mohali’s Kaimbala village, acted as a middleman between Rai and gangster Lucky Patial. He facilitated communication through an encrypted app.
Patial then arranged two shooters Ranjan alias Piyush Pehalwan and Pritam and provided them with weapons, a motorcycle for escape, and operational funds. On March 18, the shooters conducted reconnaissance outside the gym.
As Chamanpreet Singh exited the gym, the assailants opened fire, killing him on the spot before fleeing. The entire operation was pre-planned, with clear instructions and an escape route mapped out in advance.
The case took a major turn on April 29, when the Crime Branch arrested Harshpreet Singh near a satsang building in Maloya following a tip-off. A foreign-made .45 bore pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from his possession, leading to further revelations.
Police are now working to trace the broader network involved in the conspiracy and identify additional suspects connected to the murder plot.
