A 21-year-old man was shot dead during a wedding function at a marriage palace here late last night in Punjab's Balachaur. 

According to DSP Hemant Malhotra of Balachaur police station, a statement was recorded from Baldev Singh, a resident of Saroa under Pojewal police station. He stated that his grandson, Tarnjeet Singh, son of Narinderjeet Singh, had escorted the groom to the stage for the “jaimala” ceremony and then went to the parking area to retrieve some items from his car.

Near the gate outside the palace office, the accused — Havan Chaudhary of Dhakktana village under Balachaur police station and Jagdish alias Jonny of Rudrapur in Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand — were sitting. Police said Havan Chaudhary called Tarnjeet over and began verbally abusing him.

During the altercation, Havan allegedly fired a shot at Tarnjeet, hitting him in the abdomen. He collapsed on the spot and was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Police have registered a case against both accused and further investigation is underway.