Birthday Boy Kills Friend Over Cake-Smudging Row in Jammu, Arrested

JAMMU, Sept 18: A birthday celebration turned fatal when a young man allegedly attacked and killed his friend with a sharp-edged weapon following a dispute over cake being smeared on his face in the Lower Roop Nagar area here, police said on Friday. The accused and his brother have been arrested in connection with the killing.

The incident took place around 9 pm on Thursday when Police Post Government Medical College Jammu informed Police Station Janipur that an injured man, identified as Pawan Nair alias “Sameer”, had been brought to GMC Jammu by his friends John Sotra, Gaurav Singh and Sugandh Bhatti. Doctors declared Nair brought dead.

Following the information, a police team from Police Station Janipur rushed to GMC Jammu and initiated an inquiry.

According to preliminary investigation, Neeraj alias “Anshu” was celebrating his birthday at a roadside location near Lower Roop Nagar in the presence of his friends, including Sotra, Singh, Bhatti and Nair. Neeraj was accompanied by his brother Rishu.

Police said that during the cake-cutting ceremony, Nair smeared cake on Neeraj’s face, triggering a verbal altercation between the two. Though their friends intervened and pacified them, Neeraj allegedly became enraged, took out a khokhri he was carrying and attacked Nair on the neck, inflicting a grievous injury.

Nair was immediately rushed to GMC Jammu for treatment, but doctors declared him brought dead.

Taking cognisance of the incident, Police Station Janipur registered a murder case and arrested Neeraj and his brother Rishu.

Police said efforts are underway to recover the weapon allegedly used in the crime, while further investigation is in progress. The body has been shifted to the GMC mortuary for post-mortem examination. (Agencies)