In a shocking incident, two assailants opened fire on a supporter of Congress Kalka candidate Pradeep Chaudhary during a campaign event in Bharauli village, Raipur Rani, on Friday. The injured individual, identified as Goldie Khedi from Khedi village, is a history-sheeter with 29 criminal cases against him.
The shooting occurred around 3:30 PM while Chaudhary, the incumbent MLA, was campaigning with his convoy. According to police reports, Goldie and his friends had stopped for refreshments when the attackers fired two shots at him from a nearby car, striking him in the chest. He was quickly taken to a local hospital before being referred to PGIMER in Chandigarh, where he is currently stable after sustaining an injury near his shoulder.
Goldie’s friend, Dinesh “DK,” recounted the incident, stating they were on their way to a Congress rally when they stopped between Muradnagar and Bharauli villages. While they were parked, gunshots rang out, hitting Goldie as Dinesh ducked for cover. The assailants fled on foot toward Muradnagar before escaping on a motorcycle.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Himadree Kaushik confirmed that the attack appears to stem from an old rivalry, emphasizing that Goldie was the intended target. She noted that police teams are actively working to apprehend the shooters and have already detained four individuals for questioning.
Authorities are also investigating the involvement of gangster Bhuppi Rana, known for his ties to the rival Davinder Bambiha gang. Goldie’s connections to the Rana gang may relate to a rivalry that intensified after he was linked to individuals involved in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
A case has been filed under Sections 109 (attempted murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant sections of the Arms Act at the Raipur Rani police station.
Following the attack, Chaudhary suspended his campaign to visit Goldie in the hospital. “I was campaigning in Raipur Rani when I heard shots were fired at a vehicle in my convoy,” he said. Goldie had recently shifted his support to Congress after previously backing independent candidate Gopal Sukhomajri, who also has a criminal history.
The incident occurred amid heightened security in the district, as Haryana prepares for assembly elections on October 5. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was scheduled to address a rally in Raipur Rani shortly after the shooting. “We have sealed the district and are searching every vehicle,” said DCP Kaushik.
