A shocking daylight assault unfolded near the Bharari Bridge on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, raising major security concerns. The target of the brutal attack was Sunny Gill, an accused in a high-profile 2024 court shootout case, who was hacked with an axe in the presence of on-duty security personnel. This severe security lapse has led to immediate disciplinary action against the police staff present at the scene, along with a wider investigation into the deep-seated local rivalries fueling the violence.
An Axe Attack in Plain Sight of Law Enforcement
Sunny Gill, a resident of Heera Mohalla in Ludhiana, had arrived in Bilaspur on Wednesday to attend a scheduled hearing at the local court. Upon stepping off a bus, he was immediately confronted by Saurabh, also known as Phandi. An argument quickly broke out between the two, which rapidly escalated into physical violence. Saurabh reportedly pulled out an axe and struck Gill multiple times, leaving him severely injured and bleeding. The victim, while being rescued, was recorded on a mobile video identifying Saurabh as his assailant. Following the violent clash, Saurabh and his accomplice managed to flee the spot. Shockingly, the incident occurred just a short distance from an active police booth, where a police constable and a home guard were stationed.
Immediate Suspensions and Criminal Charges Filed
The authorities have taken strict action following the broad daylight violence. The police constable who was on duty during the incident has been placed under suspension for failing to prevent the attack, while the home guard has had his deputation revoked and has been sent back to his parent department. The Sadar Police Station has registered Case Number 167/2026 against the attackers. The charges have been framed under sections 126(2), 115(2), 352, 351(2), and 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Special investigation teams have been formed to track down the main perpetrators who are currently on the run. As part of the ongoing probe, the police successfully tracked down and arrested Dheeraj Dharmani, a 42-year-old resident of Karangoda village in Ghumarwin. Dharmani is identified as the owner of the vehicle used by the attackers to escape the crime scene. He is a history-sheeter with several prior criminal cases registered against him. Interestingly, his wife serves as the Pradhan of the Karangoda Gram Panchayat, adding a local political dimension to the arrest.
A History of Violent Retaliation and Railway Rivalries
The violent clash is deeply rooted in a cycle of revenge dating back to 2024. Sunny Gill was previously accused of attempting to shoot Saurabh near the Bilaspur court complex in 2024, and Wednesday's hearing was related to that very incident. That shootout itself was linked to a previous assault on former MLA Bambar Thakur, in which Saurabh was an accused. When Saurabh was heading for a court appearance in 2024, he was targeted in a firing incident. The son of former MLA Bambar Thakur was subsequently arrested in connection with that firing.
The conflict escalated further on Holi when former MLA Bambar Thakur himself was targeted in a shooting. Investigative details reveal that this ongoing turf war originally began over control of lucrative subcontracts for railway line construction projects in the region. Saurabh alias Phandi has a history of violent behavior; he was previously arrested after a video of him practicing target shooting inside a forest went viral on social media.
