Three persons arrested, one still at large: Police
A youth was allegedly lynched in a village of Katra allegedly by the family members and neighbours of a girl, to whom the victim along with his friend had gone to meet during the intervening night.Quoting investigation, a senior police officer wishing anonymity, told that Rahul (21) son of Sham Lal of Mara Morh in Udhampur and his friend Abhishek (21) son of Prithvi Raj of Udhampur went to a village Bhagta in Katra.
“They allegedly entered into the house of Uttam Singh son of Ghori Singh to meet his daughter – a student,” the senior police officer said.
As soon as the duo allegedly entered into the house of Uttam during the intervening night of Dec 12-13, police said, they were caught by the family members of Uttam Singh who raised alarm.
They said uncles of the girl Pawan Singh, Kaka Ram, Sukhdev Singh, and Vikram Singh also rushed towards the house of Uttam on hearing their cries for help. The duo, they said, was locked inside one of the rooms. Police quoting preliminary investigation said the family members, neighbours and relatives caught hold of the two youth and beat them to pulp.
“Rahul was ruthlessly beaten up with batons and allegedly lynched by the family and relatives in the fit of anger,” police added, while informing that both the youth were in critical condition when police came to know about the incident around 2:30 AM.
A police team rushed to the village and evacuated wounded youth to the CHC Katra for immediate medical care and from there they were referred to GMC Jammu for specialized treatment.
Police said Rahul, who was wounded seriously and succumbed to his injuries while the condition of Abhishek is stated to be stable.
“Abhishek is the lone eyewitness in the heinous incident. We are unable to get a statement from him, since he was unable to speak. He is presently undergoing treatment in GMC Jammu,” the senior police officer added.
Police further said the girl, to whom, the victim duo had come to meet from Udhampur, is also not in a condition to give any statement. “The girl has claimed before police that she has no relation with these boys,” the police officer added.
During the manhunt against the accused persons, police said, they have arrested Pawan Singh, Kaku Ram and Vikram Singh for their alleged role in lynching the boy.
Police said a manhunt against one absconding person identified as Sukhdev Singh.
Police has registered murder and attempt to murder case against four persons and has started investigations to ascertain facts.
