The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
B Tech student killed by friend’s father; pre-planned, claim kin
IN THE early hours of Saturday, a third-year B.tech student was summoned to his friend’s flat on the 14th floor of a high-rise in Ghaziabad’s Crossings Republik. Minutes later, four gunshots pierced the night and the student slumped to the floor — he was murdered allegedly by his friend’s father. The killer then called the police and turned himself in.
While the accused, Rajesh Kumar Singh, claimed he committed the crime in a fit of rage as the victim, Vipul Verma, had allegedly been harassing his daughter, the victim’s kin said otherwise and alleged it was “pre-planned”.
According to police, the incident took place at Paramount Symphony society around 3.30 am. Police said Verma (23) lived on the 7th floor and studied at AEBS college. His friend, aged 22, works for a private firm in Noida. Police said the two hailed from Ballia, UP, had known each other for around eight years and were together in Bengaluru and Delhi.
The accused is a retired BSF jawan who now works for a private security firm in South Delhi.
During questioning, Singh allegedly told police that Vipul had been harassing his daughter for talking to another man; she had recently befriended this man, due to which she had a falling out with Vipul. The woman had called her cousin in Bengaluru and told him about the issue, who told Singh. The accused then came to her flat to take her with him.
Police said around 3 am,
Singh also called Vipul to the flat to discuss the issue. Within a few minutes of Vipul arriving, however, Singh grew angry and slapped him before pulling out a pistol and allegedly firing.
“The accused said he did it out of anger. He has been arrested and sent to jail. According to the post-mortem report, Vipul was hit by four bullets. A case of murder has been registered based on a complaint by his family members,” said Poonam Mishra, ACP Wave City, Ghaziabad.
However, the deceased’s family alleged it was Vipul who was being harassed.
His father, Brijesh Kumar Verma, said, “He was a very talented student... a relative called and told me he was admitted to the hospital... when I got there, his body was in the mortuary. He was murdered... I have faith in the judiciary and the Yogi (Adityanath) government that we will get justice.”
Vinod Verma, his uncle, alleged: “I was like his father... I was the one who raised him at my home and taught him. He was the pride of our family... The woman used to come to his flat every day and talk to him... she would call him repeatedly and when Vipul did not pick up the phone, she used to call his brother. We have proof of this.”
He further alleged, “On the day of his murder, the woman’s cousin called him and said there was an emergency and told him to go upstairs to meet her father. As soon as he entered her flat, they started firing indiscriminately. This was pre-planned... part of a conspiracy. We cannot get our son back, but the accused should be given the harshest punishment.”