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Son of Ludhiana’s iconic ‘Pandit Ji Kulche Chole’ owner shot dead at birthday party; 9 booked

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 23 Oct 2026 3 hours ago

New Delhi: A 34-year-old man, the son of a prominent food joint owner in Ludhiana, was shot dead late Wednesday night following an argument during a friend’s terrace birthday celebration.

The victim, Rahul Sharma, was the son of Kuldeep Sharma, who runs the famous ‘Pandit ji Kulche Chole’. The shooting took place at Green World Homes in VPO Daad along Pakhowal Road, falling under the Lalton police post limits.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Alam Vijay Singh, the incident was triggered by an impromptu dispute. “It was a crime of passion committed during an argument when 8-10 men got together to celebrate a birthday. It wasn’t a planned or targeted killing,” Singh confirmed. Rahul was taken to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), where he succumbed to his injuries. Sadar police station SHO Inspector Jagdev Singh said preliminary findings showed two bullet wounds.

Crossfire of claims and police action

The police have booked nine people, including the main accused, Gagandeep Arora, a cafe owner who allegedly fired his licensed weapon during a business dispute with Rahul. The FIR covers murder and rioting charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

“The exact details of what actually happened at the party would be clear only after we arrest the accused,” the SHO said, noting four teams are on the lookout.

Host Akhil Joshi, also named in the FIR, released a video claiming the gunshot was accidental when Gagandeep set his revolver down.

“We explained everything to his sister and brother-in-law. We did not abandon him or flee. “We just got scared so we left,” Joshi said.

Local legacy and growing gun violence

Rahul had played a major role in expanding the family food business, which his grandfather Khushi Ram started in 1952 after arriving from Himachal Pradesh. Known for their garlic-and-onion-free chole, the brand grew from an open roadside spot to Rahul running the College Road branch.

Rahul’s friend Sahil Sahi noted, “Rahul used to help his father with the eatery business. He helped in expanding the business and got a shop, even though his father still loved to sit on the ground under the tree.”

The killing comes amid mounting concern over law and order in Punjab. It marks the second birthday party shooting in Ludhiana within 48 hours, following the killing of Darbara Singh alias Harry at EWS Colony on Tuesday.

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