JALANDHAR, October 21, 2026: The death of a 40-year-old man under suspicious circumstances in Jalandhar’s busy Dilkusha Market has prompted a police investigation after his family raised allegations of assault against a naan-stall operator.
The deceased has been identified as Khem Chand alias Sonu, a resident of Ali Mohalla in Jalandhar. He had been working at a naan stall in the market for around one-and-a-half years and was also known to stay overnight in the market area.
The matter came to light after Sonu was found unresponsive on the premises. Family members and a team from Police Station Division No. 4 subsequently reached the spot, following which police began examining the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to the family, Sonu had been involved in a dispute with the naan-stall operator earlier in the week. His relatives have alleged that he was assaulted during that disagreement and have demanded that police investigate whether the incident was connected with his death.
The family has also questioned the account initially given to them regarding what happened to Sonu. His brother said they were told that Sonu had suffered a fall from the stairs, while the family claims that information gathered later from people in the area raised doubts over that version.
These allegations have not yet been independently established by the police, and investigators have not announced that the stall operator or any other individual is responsible for Sonu’s death.
Police are now recording statements from family members and people who were present or working in the market. Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events leading up to the death and determine whether there is evidence supporting the family’s allegations.
Sonu’s body has been taken into police custody for the required medical and legal procedures. The medical examination is expected to be important in establishing the cause of death and determining whether any injuries were involved.
At this stage, police are treating the matter as a suspicious death investigation and have said further action will be taken on the basis of statements, medical findings and other evidence gathered during the inquiry.
The family has sought a fair investigation and action if evidence establishes that Sonu was assaulted before his death.
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