A man who climbed onto the roof of a house in Punjab’s Khanna, claiming that he feared a police encounter, has been arrested after investigators found that he was allegedly a wanted accused in a multi-lakh gold theft case registered earlier this year, police said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Dildeep Singh alias Deepi, a resident of Bullepur village in Khanna, was formally arrested after questioning revealed his alleged involvement in a gold theft case registered at City Police Station-2, Khanna. Police said he had been evading arrest for several months and was expected to be produced before a court to seek custodial remand for further interrogation.
According to the investigation, Dildeep is suspected to be associated with the so-called “Sabbal Gang”, which police believe has been involved in a series of theft cases in Khanna and adjoining areas. Officials said a case involving the theft of gold ornaments worth several lakhs was registered in January 2026 against eight members of the gang, but Dildeep had remained absconding since then.
During interrogation, police also discovered that the accused was allegedly using a United Kingdom-based mobile number instead of an Indian number to communicate through WhatsApp. Investigators believe the foreign number was used to create the impression that he was living abroad while concealing his actual whereabouts and avoiding law enforcement agencies.
The arrest follows a dramatic incident on Tuesday when a Counter Intelligence team reached the accused’s rented accommodation in Bullepur village for verification after receiving specific inputs. On noticing the police team, the accused allegedly refused to open the door and climbed onto the rooftop of the building.
While on the roof, he circulated a video on social media claiming that he feared he could be killed in a staged police encounter. The situation continued for nearly two hours before personnel from Counter Intelligence and the local police persuaded him to come down safely without any injury.
Police said the accused also has a criminal history, with cases relating to attempted murder, illegal possession of weapons and other offences already registered against him. Investigators are now examining his alleged criminal network, the role of other gang members and the purpose behind the use of the foreign mobile number.
SHO Tarvinder Kumar Bedi of City Police Station-2, Khanna, confirmed that Dildeep Singh was wanted in the gold theft case and had been taken into custody. He said the police would seek his remand to question him about the theft case as well as other alleged criminal activities and his associates.