Fauja Singh (Social media)
National News: Punjab Police have arrested a suspect in the tragic hit-and-run case that led to the death of Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner. The accused, identified as Amritpal Dhillon, was taken into custody on Tuesday night from his home in a village in Jalandhar district.
According to police, Dhillon confessed during questioning that he was returning from Bhogpur when the accident happened. The First Information Report (FIR) states that the vehicle was speeding and, rather than stopping to help, the driver fled the scene—possibly costing Fauja Singh his life.
The 114-year-old athlete, celebrated globally for his incredible achievements in long-distance running even past the age of 100, was fatally struck by a white Toyota Fortuner on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway on Monday. It took over 24 hours for the police to trace the vehicle involved in the accident. Investigators used broken pieces of the headlight found at the site, along with CCTV footage from toll booths and fuel stations and eyewitness accounts, to identify the car.
Sources revealed that Fauja Singh was on his way to visit a family-run roadside eatery (dhaba) in Byas Pind when the accident occurred. The dhaba, named after his fifth son, who died in an accident in 1994 during its construction, held deep emotional value for him.
Gurdeep Singh, who runs the eatery, shared, "He used to come every few days. He would eat simple food, sit down for tea, and spend time near his son's photograph. For him, it was a spiritual journey."
"He was a source of pride for us. People often took selfies with him," Gurdeep added. Eyewitness Gurpreet Singh, who rushed to help, recalled the horrific scene. "He was lying face-down. We only realized the seriousness when we turned him over. It was heartbreaking."
Although Fauja Singh was conscious initially, his condition quickly worsened. He passed away later that same day. Police have seized the Fortuner, and further investigation is underway.
Copyright © 2025 Top Indian News
