Kin of jawan held in YouTuber grenade attack case in shock, demand fair probe

Family members of the Army jawan, held in connection with a grenade attack on a YouTuber’s house in Jalandhar, expressed shock over the development and sought a fair probe into the incident.

The Jalandhar police had arrested Sukhcharan Singh (30), a resident of Maha Badhar village in Muktsar, in connection with the grenade attack on YouTuber Rozer Sandhu’s house in Raipur Rasoolpur village of Jalandhar on March 16.

A sepoy with the Sikh Light Infantry, Sukhcharan was posted in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri, where he was arrested on April 15. He is the first person from his family to serve in the Army. He is married and has two children — a daughter and a son.

His parents are daily wagers and his elder brother is a vegetable-seller. His sister is married.

His father Balwinder Singh, said, “We are shocked to hear Sukhcharan’s name figuring in an illegal activity. He has never been involved in any wrongdoing. Our family has been called to Jalandhar and we want a fair probe.”

Kulwinder Singh, numberdar of Maha Badhar village, said, “Sukhcharan had come here on leave about two months ago. I am surprised how he could be involved in any such illegal activity while on duty.”

“The Army is known for its discipline and it’s impossible to even think of his involvement in any crime. We demand thorough investigation and justice,” he said. According to sources, some local police personnel also visited Sukhcharan’s residence today.

Trained key accused in grenade use: Police

Meanwhile, the Jalandhar police said Sukhcharan had come in contact with the key accused of the case — Hardik Kamboj — through social media.

The Army jawan allegedly trained Hardik on how to use a grenade on video and telephone calls. The revelations were made by Hardik during interrogation by the Jalandhar police.

The police have so far arrested nine persons in the case. As many as 18 people have been nominated in the FIR. A senior official said Sukhcharan used to flaunt his weapon on Instagram, which might have attracted Hardik to him.

According to information, so far only Hardik is known to have been in touch with Sukhcharan. The police said their investigation did not point to the duo meeting each other in person.

The Army jawan had been remanded into 5-day police custody, an official said.

Sukhcharan had joined the Army in 2015.

SSP Jalandhar (Rural) Harvinder Singh Virk said, “Sukhcharan Singh and Hardik came in contact with each other on social media. The training in grenade use was rendered primarily through video calls.”

Punjab