NRI Arrested in Hit-and-Run That Killed 114-Year-Old Marathon Legend Fauja Singh

NRI Arrested in Hit-and-Run That Killed Marathon Icon Fauja Singh

Punjab Police have arrested a 30-year-old Non-Resident Indian (NRI) in connection with the hit-and-run death of legendary marathoner Fauja Singh, who passed away at the age of 114 after being struck by a speeding SUV near his native village in Jalandhar district.

The accused, Amritpal Singh Dhillon, was taken into custody late Tuesday night from his village in Kartarpur. Police also recovered the Fortuner SUV involved in the incident. Dhillon is currently being interrogated at Bhogpur police station and is expected to be presented in court today. Authorities plan to seek police remand for further questioning.

Trail Leads to NRI
After compiling a list of potential suspect vehicles, investigators traced a Fortuner registered under the name of Varinder Singh from Kapurthala. Upon questioning, Varinder revealed he had sold the vehicle two years ago to Amritpal Singh Dhillon, an NRI who had recently returned from Canada.

According to police sources, Dhillon confessed during preliminary interrogation. He claimed he was returning from Mukerian after selling his phone when his SUV struck an elderly pedestrian near Bias Pind. He fled the scene, taking interior routes through nearby villages to avoid detection while returning to Kartarpur. Dhillon stated he did not realize the identity of the victim until he saw media reports later that evening.

Police confirmed that Dhillon’s mother and three sisters reside in Canada, while he had recently come back to India.

Loss of a Global Inspiration
Fauja Singh, fondly known as the Turbaned Tornado, had become a global symbol of endurance and discipline, beginning his competitive running career at the age of 89. He participated in major marathons across London, Toronto, Glasgow, and Hong Kong, and held multiple age-group world records—many of which remain unmatched.

His death on Monday sent shockwaves through the sports community. Author Khushwant Singh, who has chronicled Fauja’s journey, confirmed the news in an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter):

“My Turbaned Tornado is no more. It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my most revered S. Fauja Singh… Rest in peace, my dear Fauja.”

The case has drawn widespread public attention, not only due to the tragic circumstances of Singh’s death but also because of his iconic status in the world of athletics and senior fitness.