Veteran marathon legend Fauja Singh, aged 114, tragically passed away following a hit-and-run incident in his native village Bias in Punjab’s Jalandhar district. He was struck by a Toyota Fortuner SUV while crossing the road on Monday afternoon. Despite being taken to a nearby private hospital, he succumbed to head injuries later that evening. According to his son Harvinder Singh, his pulse dropped significantly and doctors were unable to revive him.

Who was the Accused Behind the Crime?

Punjab Police have arrested Amritpal Singh Dhillon, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) from Dasupur village in Kartarpur, in connection with the case. The 30-year-old had returned from Canada just days before the incident. Authorities managed to track him down within 30 hours by analysing CCTV footage and gathering vehicle fragments from the crime scene. Investigators also matched debris from the SUV’s headlight with the suspected vehicle.

The SUV involved, a Punjab-registered white Toyota Fortuner (PB 20C 7100), was initially traced back to a man named Varinder Singh, a resident of Kapurthala. Upon questioning, Varinder informed officers that he had sold the car two years ago to Dhillon. This key lead enabled police to identify and locate the accused in his home village.

Dhillon allegedly admitted his role during initial interrogation. He told police that he was returning from Mukerian after selling his mobile phone when the accident occurred near Bias Pind. He took a detour through rural roads, avoiding Jalandhar city, and reached his village in Kartarpur. Dhillon also claimed that he was unaware of the victim’s identity until later media coverage revealed it to be the renowned athlete. As he stated, “he was unaware at the time that the victim was Fauja Singh and only learnt of the marathoner’s death later through news reports.”

FIR Registered

The case is currently being handled by the Adampur Police Station, and an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have indicated that Dhillon is likely to be remanded following his court appearance.

Known worldwide as the “Turbaned Tornado”, Fauja Singh began running marathons in his 80s after the tragic death of his son in 1994. Originally from a farming family, he emigrated to the UK in the early 1990s and found solace in long-distance running. His marathon debut came at age 89 during the 2000 London Marathon. Over the next decade, he participated in events across Toronto, New York, and Hong Kong, becoming the oldest person to complete a full marathon at age 100 in 2011.

Fauja Singh also featured in Adidas’s global “Impossible is Nothing” campaign alongside sports icons Muhammad Ali and David Beckham. He carried the Olympic torch in both the 2004 Athens and 2012 London Games before retiring from competitive racing in 2013 at age 101.

PM Modi Pays Tribute

Paying tribute, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, “He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers around the world.” “He was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on a very important topic of fitness.”

Khushwant Singh, author of the biography “Turbaned Tornado”, also confirmed the death online and shared a heartfelt tribute, “My Turbaned Tornado is no more. It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my most revered S. Fauja Singh. He was struck by an unidentified vehicle around 3:30 pm today in his village, Bias, while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja.”

Singh’s legacy is remembered not just for his athletic feats, but also his generous spirit. In the words of Khushwant Singh, “Babe ne hamesha duniya nu dita hi hai (Baba always gave something to this world).” He often donated race earnings to charity and inspired generations through his resilience, humility, and service.