An Assistant Sub Inspector of police was shot dead in public on Wednesday by a leader of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) when he asked him to stop harassing his daughter, police said.

The police and eyewitnesses said Ranjit Singh Rana, who is the SAD general secretary from Amritsar Urban, first shot at ASI Ravinderpal Singh's legs from his revolver after a confrontation in Chheharta area of the city and when he ran out of bullets he drove back home, about five minutes away, challenging the police officer that he would be back. He returned soon after with a rifle and shot Singh from point blank range.

Rana fled after the shooting and is yet to be arrested.

The Chheharta police station is located close to the place where the firing took place but eyewitnesses said police did not arrive at the spot till Singh was shot dead. The incident took place around 3.30 pm and lasted for more than 20 minutes.

Commissioner of Police Ram Singh said the Chheharta SHO was placed on suspension. He said a murder case had been registered against Rana and an unknown person, who drove the black SUV in which he came.

The police said the ASI's daughter, who worked in a bank, had complained to her father that Rana had been stalking her for past several days and made unwanted advances. "Today she called her father, saying that she was again being chased by the accused. When her father arrived on Chheharta road, firing took place after a scuffle," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Kaustubh Sharma. He said further investigation was on.

ASI Singh, who was attached to Gharinda police station, came in his uniform along with his two gunmen. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen fled when the firing started.

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