Mohali parking dispute leads to suicide

Harsh, a 21-year-old resident of Mohali's Phase 1, jumped into the Bhakra canal on May 20, 2026, following a parking dispute outside his home. His body was recovered the next day near Landran village by local authorities. The family accuses local municipal corporation (MC) poll candidate Balwinder Singh Ghoru, his son Sunny Ghoru, and police of harassment that drove Harsh to suicide . ### What sparked the parking dispute? The incident began on May 20 afternoon when Sunny Ghoru parked his car in front of Harsh's house in Mohali's Phase 1 area, blocking access. Harsh, a local youth employed at a nearby firm, asked Sunny to move the vehicle. Witnesses reported the request led to an argument, with Sunny allegedly abusing Harsh verbally . Harsh's brother, Ravi, told reporters that Sunny called his father, Balwinder Singh Ghoru—a candidate in the ongoing Mohali MC elections—and additional men arrived at the scene. "They threatened Harsh and beat him up," Ravi said, adding that police from Phase 1 station reached the spot but took no action against the Ghorus (; ). ### What did Harsh do next? Distraught after the confrontation, Harsh left home around 4 p.m. on a scooter and headed to the Bhakra canal, about 5 km from Phase 1. Family members said he sent a WhatsApp message to relatives expressing despair before jumping. "He wrote that he couldn't bear the humiliation," Harsh's mother, Rekha, recounted to media outside the police station . Divers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) searched the canal overnight. Harsh's body surfaced on May 21 morning, confirmed by postmortem at Civil Hospital, Phase 8, Mohali, which listed drowning as the cause of death. No suicide note was found beyond the message, police said . ### Who are the accused parties? Balwinder Singh Ghoru, 52, is contesting the Mohali MC elections as an independent from Ward 11. His son Sunny, 25, has been named by the family as the primary aggressor in the parking clash. The family claims Balwinder arrived with supporters, assaulted Harsh, and warned him against complaining . Police personnel at Phase 1 station allegedly sided with the Ghorus, refusing to file an FIR against them despite family pleas that evening. "The SHO told us to forget it because they are influential," Ravi alleged. Balwinder Ghoru denied the claims, telling reporters, "We only asked him to calm down; no beating happened" . ### Why did the family protest? On May 22, over 50 relatives and neighbors gathered at Phase 1 police station, blocking traffic and demanding an FIR under sections for abetment to suicide (306 IPC) and criminal intimidation (506 IPC). The protest lasted four hours until senior officers promised a probe. Harsh's family refused to claim the body until action was assured . Mohali SSP Sandeep Garg stated an inquiry team led by DSP (City-2) Gurbhej Singh is investigating. "Statements from all parties are being recorded; FIR will follow if evidence supports," Garg said in a press note. No arrests have been made as of May 23. ### What is the police investigation status? The inquiry focuses on CCTV footage from the area, witness accounts, and the WhatsApp message. Harsh's family submitted a formal complaint naming Balwinder, Sunny, and two police officials. DSP Gurbhej Singh visited the site on May 22, recording preliminary statements . MC elections in Mohali are scheduled for May 26, 2026. Balwinder Ghoru continues campaigning, with no withdrawal reported. Harsh's last rites were performed on May 22 evening after assurances from police . Mohali police will submit the inquiry report to the senior superintendent by May 26, coinciding with MC polling day, SSP Sandeep Garg confirmed. ```