India, Nov. 10 -- A wrestler, 27, was allegedly shot dead in Punjab's Kapurthala town while bursting firecrackers outside his house on Diwali night, police said, abruptly cutting short a family's celebrations and reportedly causing panic in the neighbourhood.

The man was identified as Mani, who went by the name Pehalwan, a resident of Mohalla Mehtabgarh. Police said a call about firing came in around 7.30 pm and a team was sent to the spot at once. According to the accounts, at least one bullet hit him in the chest and he collapsed.

Accounts differed on when the shooting took place, with some placing it on Sunday evening and others on Monday night. They also diverged on whether he died where he fell or was declared dead at hospital: one...