Police Solve Hit-and-Run Case Involving 114-Year-Old Marathon Runner in Jalandhar

Major Breakthrough in Hit-and-Run Incident

The Jalandhar rural police have achieved a significant milestone by resolving a high-profile hit-and-run case involving 114-year-old marathon legend Fauja Singh within just 30 hours. Late Tuesday night, authorities confirmed the arrest of 30-year-old NRI Amritpal Singh Dhillon, along with the recovery of the Toyota Fortuner SUV used in the incident.

Details of the Incident

A senior police official provided updates on Wednesday, stating that Amritpal Singh Dhillon, a resident of Dasupur in Kartarpur, was apprehended on Tuesday night, and his vehicle was seized. Fauja Singh was out for a walk on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway near his ancestral village of Bais Pind when he was struck by Dhillon's vehicle.

At the time, Dhillon was traveling from Bhogpur to Kishangarh. The collision resulted in severe injuries to Fauja Singh, who tragically passed away the same day. Witnesses reported that the impact was so forceful that Singh was thrown five to seven feet into the air.

Sources indicate that the accused's family resides abroad, and he had recently returned to his hometown. An officer mentioned that further inquiries are underway, and more information will be released soon.

Legal Actions Taken

Following the incident, the police registered a case against the driver under sections 281 (reckless driving on public roads) and 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

Community Reaction and Tributes

Senior Superintendent of Police Harvinder Singh stated via phone, 'We identified the vehicle through CCTV footage. It is a Punjab-registered Toyota Fortuner. We found pieces of the car's headlight at the accident site, which helped us trace the vehicle.' He added that the vehicle had been sold multiple times.

Leaders from various political parties expressed their condolences over the passing of the marathon runner. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that Singh was an extraordinary individual who inspired the youth of India regarding fitness. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann noted that Fauja Singh brought pride to the Sikh community worldwide through his marathon achievements. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also expressed his sorrow over Singh's demise.

The Punjab Assembly paid tribute to Fauja Singh on Tuesday. On the last day of the special session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajjot Singh proposed a tribute to Singh in the house.

Fauja Singh's Legacy

Fauja Singh began running marathons at the age of 89 and gained international recognition for his passion and determination. Due to his athletic prowess, he earned the nickname 'Turbaned Tornado.' Born in 1911 into a farming family, he was the youngest of four siblings. He became the first person to complete a marathon at the age of 100 and set numerous records while participating in international competitions.

Having moved to England in the 1990s, he returned to his ancestral village in Punjab in recent years. He was a torchbearer at the 2012 London Olympics.

Singh participated in several renowned marathons, including those in London, New York, and Hong Kong. One of his most memorable races was in 2011 when he turned 100, leading to a competition in Toronto named in his honor, where he broke multiple world records in his age category.

Last year, Singh joined Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria in a walkathon aimed at raising awareness against drug abuse.