A COUPLE wounded when a relative opened fire on them with a pump-action sawn-off shotgun have taken Wiltshire Police to court for their handling of events in the run-up to the shooting.

Sawa Singh opened fire on his younger brother Kashmira, then 42, and sister-in-law Dialo before shooting himself at the family home they shared in The Causeway, Chippenham, in December 2001.

The incident happened at the height of a family feud over money, which detectives in Chippenham became involved in when theft allegations were first made against Kashmira in 2000.

Investigations led to the couple being arrested in April 2001, during a county court battle between Kasmira and his brothers Sawa and Kiker over family finances.

Sawa Singh, who plotted to shoot his relatives after losing the county court case and suspecting them of stealing, turned the gun on himself during the bloodbath. A coroner recorded a verdict of suicide in May 2002.

Mr and Mrs Singh have launched a civil suit against Wiltshire Police, accusing officers of siding with Sawa Singh's side of the family during the long-running row over money.

The case opened at Southampton Combined Court on April 18 before His Honour Judge Jeremy Burford QC.

On Tuesday Mrs Singh, who has five children, told the court about the trauma of being arrested when officers were investigating their financial affairs.

"I was shocked. I was shaken. I was terrified. I was humiliated in front of the family," she said.

Mrs Singh went on to say she had felt violated after police searched her home in connection with the inquiry.

One of the allegations centred on the cashing of an endowment policy belonging to Sawa's son Kondon, which Mrs Singh had signed.

Sawa, who was 51 when he died, moved in with his brother and sister-in-law in the mid-1990s. They lived as a cohesive family for years but became strained by the rows over money.

Mrs Singh told the court one of the brothers, Kiker, had friends in the police force and socialised with them at Chippenham Rugby Club.

Det Con Perry Watson, now an acting detective sergeant, told the court allegations were first made by Sawa in August 2000.

He claimed Kashmira had falsely obtained credit cards in his son Kondon's name.

DC Watson told the court he did not know anyone in the Singh family and had never socialised at Chippenham Rugby Club. He was given control of the case and was the arresting officer in April 2001.

The case continues.