RTI activist Simranjit Singh shot dead in Phagwara in second attempt on his life
Synopsis
An RTI activist and lawyer who had survived one assassination attempt, filed cases against a jailed Punjab minister, and challenged a sensitive religious law was shot dead at point-blank range in Phagwara. The killing has triggered demands for an independent probe and sharp political attacks on the AAP government's law-and-order record.
Key Takeaways
Simranjit Singh , RTI activist and lawyer, was shot dead on 30 May in Phagwara, Punjab — the second attempt on his life.
Two motorcycle-borne assailants fired at him near the Jalandhar-Ludhiana highway ; two bullets pierced his head , according to police.
Singh had reportedly provided documents to the Enforcement Directorate against jailed Punjab Cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora .
He had also filed a petition challenging the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Amendment) Act, 2026 .
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal demanded an independent agency probe; Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring questioned the AAP government's law-and-order record.
Police said Counter-Intelligence wing assistance may be sought if needed.
RTI activist and lawyer Simranjit Singh was shot dead on Saturday, 30 May in Phagwara, Punjab, when two motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on him at point-blank range near the Jalandhar-Ludhiana highway. Police confirmed the killing was a second attempt on his life — he had previously survived an assassination bid in Jalandhar.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to police, the two assailants approached Singh on a motorcycle and fired multiple rounds. Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora told reporters that two bullets pierced through his head. Officers recovered a .32 bore pistol near the victim and a 12 bore rifle inside his Fortuner vehicle. His two mobile phones were found lying close to the body. Police noted his vehicle was parked properly, indicating he was not waylaid.
Who Was Simranjit Singh
Singh had been filing petitions and complaints on contentious issues before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the state police, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). According to reports, he had provided documents to the ED against state Cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora, who is currently lodged in jail. He had also reportedly filed a petition challenging the constitutionality of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Amendment) Act, 2026 — a highly sensitive legislative matter.
Investigation Under Way
Deputy Inspector General Naveen Singla told reporters that authorities would, if required, seek assistance from the Counter-Intelligence wing of the Punjab Police. The killing of a legal activist who had been challenging powerful figures in court and before enforcement agencies has drawn immediate scrutiny over the adequacy of protection offered to such individuals.
Political Reactions
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the killing on X, calling it 'a direct attack on democracy and transparency.' Badal demanded a thorough probe by an independent agency, arguing that the gravity of the case warranted intervention beyond state police. He alleged that silencing dissenting voices had become a pattern under Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rule in Punjab.
State Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring described the incident as 'another shocking incident' that raised serious questions about law and order in Punjab. Warring said that when activists, lawyers, and ordinary citizens feared for their safety, the government owed answers. He noted that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had promised a safer Punjab but targeted attacks and gang violence continued despite repeated assurances.
The murder is likely to intensify political pressure on the AAP government over its law-and-order record as Punjab heads into a period of heightened scrutiny.
Point of View
Which raises an immediate accountability question: why was a man who had already survived one assassination bid not under any protective cover? His profile — ED informant against a sitting minister, petitioner against a sensitive religious legislation — placed him squarely in the crosshairs of multiple powerful interests. Punjab has seen a pattern of targeted killings and gang-linked violence that the AAP government has struggled to contain despite electoral promises of a crime-free state. The demand for an independent agency probe is politically driven, but it is not without merit: a state police investigation into a murder that may implicate political figures the victim was actively challenging carries an inherent conflict of interest.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Simranjit Singh and why was he targeted?
Simranjit Singh was an RTI activist and lawyer based in Punjab who filed petitions and complaints against high-profile individuals before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, state police, and the Enforcement Directorate. He had reportedly provided documents to the ED against jailed Punjab Cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora and had challenged the constitutionality of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Amendment) Act, 2026.
Was this the first attack on Simranjit Singh?
No. Singh had previously survived an assassination attempt in Jalandhar city. Saturday's shooting in Phagwara was the second attempt on his life, according to police.
What did police find at the crime scene?
Police recovered a .32 bore pistol near the victim and a 12 bore rifle inside his Fortuner vehicle. His two mobile phones were found close to the body. Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora confirmed two bullets had pierced through his head.
Who has been called to investigate the case?
Deputy Inspector General Naveen Singla said police would seek assistance from the Counter-Intelligence wing of the Punjab Police if needed. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal has demanded a probe by an independent agency, citing the gravity of the case.
How have political parties responded to the killing?
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the murder on X and called it a direct attack on democracy, demanding an independent investigation. Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring questioned the AAP government's law-and-order record, noting that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's promises of a safer Punjab remained unfulfilled.
