The North News
Chandigarh, July 16
Punjab Police have now arrested a 26-year-old Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Amritpal Singh Dhillon, in connection with the incident. Dhillon, who had returned from Canada just eight days prior, was arrested on Tuesday. He is accused of driving the Toyota Fortuner SUV that hit Singh on 14 July on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway, near the athlete’s native village. Police also recovered the final video of legendary marathon runner Fauja Singh, 114, which captures him walking steadily along a village road just moments before he was fatally struck in a hit-and-run accident near Jalandhar.
Fauja Singh, affectionately known worldwide as the “Turbaned Tornado,” suffered severe injuries and was admitted to a private hospital in Jalandhar, where he later died. A viral video showing Singh walking calmly just before the crash has added to public outcry over the incident. CCTV footage helped investigators trace the vehicle, which was found registered in the name of Varinder Singh, a resident of Atholi village in Kapurthala. Upon interrogation, police confirmed that the car had recently been purchased by Dhillon.
Dhillon, a resident of Dasupur village in Kartarpur, was brought to Bhogpur police station for questioning and is expected to be presented before court today . The police also recovered the SUV bearing registration number PB 20C 7100.
Singh’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief across India and among the Punjabi diaspora. The centenarian had gained global fame for running marathons well into his 100s, symbolising endurance, discipline, and the power of lifelong fitness.
