Incident Overview

A Canada-based individual, Amritpal Singh Dhillon, has been apprehended for allegedly causing the death of Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner. The incident occurred on a highway in Bias, a village in Punjab’s Jalandhar district. Dhillon reportedly struck Singh with his Toyota Fortuner and fled the scene. The accused later claimed he learned about the victim’s identity through news reports.

Details of the Arrest

The 26-year-old suspect was arrested at his residence in Kartarpur. His vehicle, a Punjab-registered Toyota Fortuner, was seized by the authorities. Senior police officer Harvinder Singh Virk revealed that Dhillon had returned to India on June 23. Although initially visiting Canada on a tourist visa, Dhillon secured a work permit valid until 2027.

Circumstances Leading to the Accident

According to Officer Virk, Dhillon was speeding due to urgent personal matters when he hit Singh. Overcome with fear, he did not stop to assist the injured runner. Virk emphasized that Dhillon should have halted and provided aid to Singh immediately after the collision.

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

The police investigation involved multiple teams who identified Dhillon using CCTV footage and car parts found at the scene. Experts confirmed these parts belonged to an older model Toyota Fortuner. The vehicle’s number plate was traced back to Varinder Singh of Kapurthala, who had sold it to Dhillon. Upon interrogation, Dhillon confessed to the crime and mentioned replacing one of the SUV’s tires on the day of the incident.