Gzb teen’s murder sparks outrage, DyCM assures ‘harsh punishment’

Mayawati Says Incident ‘Alarming’, Calls For ActionLucknow: The murder of a 17-year-old boy in Ghaziabad’s Khora Colony has triggered widespread outrage across western Uttar Pradesh, with the victim’s family demanding encounter of the main accused and deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya vowing harshest punishment to the culprits.BSP national president Mayawati also termed the murder “alarming and unfortunate” and sought strict action in the case.The incident has also drawn sharp political reactions, prompting assurances of strict legal action from the state govt.Tension gripped Khora area on Saturday as the teenager’s body was brought home after post-mortem. Grief-stricken family members, relatives, and supporters gathered outside the residence, shouting slogans against the accused and demanding exemplary punishment.The victim’s mother broke down while embracing her son’s body and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for justice.The family initially refused to perform the last rites, insisting that the main accused should be killed in a police encounter before the victim’s cremation.Later, following discussions with authorities and with the family’s consent, the body was taken to the Ghazipur crematorium in Delhi, where the last rites were performed.Right wing organizations accused the administration of failing to curb crime and demanded the arrest of the accused.Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said, “Whoever the murderer may be, he will not be spared. The accused will be traced, and strict legal action will be taken. The govt is fully committed to maintaining law and order. Those involved in such a heinous crime will face the harshest punishment under the law.”He said brutal murder reflected extreme criminality and hatred.BSP national president Mayawati termed the murder “alarming and unfortunate” and sought legal punishment after thorough identification of all the people involved in the crime.Emphasising the need for stricter enforcement by govt and administration to control such incidents which, she said, were taking place almost every day in UP, Mayawati warned that with Assembly elections approaching, such incidents would have widespread adverse consequences.The Class XI student was allegedly lured to a location by the accused on Bakrid.The teenager’s friend who was reportedly present at the spot told investigators that the boy received a phone call from the accused, who asked him to meet him near a warehouse. When he reached there, the accused boy allegedly attacked him with knives, inflicting multiple stab wounds, particularly to his abdomen.The attackers allegedly chased the teenager through nearby lanes and continued to assault him before fleeing when residents rushed to the spot. The victim was taken to a nearby private hospital from where he was referred to a medical facility in Noida, where he succumbed to injuries on Friday.Police have filed an FIR against five accused.Investigators are examining CCTV footage, surveillance records, mobile phone data, and witness statements to reconstruct the sequence of events and establish the exact motive behind the murder.One of the victim’s friends alleged that the murder could be linked to an eight-month-old dispute when he had intervened in a fight involving the accused and another youth.DCP Dhawal Jaiswal said three youths had been nabbed and efforts were on to find the main accused.“The post-mortem and other legal formalities have been completed. The body has been handed over to the family,” the DCP said.Sonu Sharma, president of Khora unit of Hindu Raksha Dal, claimed that the teenager was associated with the organization and demanded stringent action against the accused. He also demanded demolition of properties of the guilty under applicable laws.Former Khora Municipal Council chairperson Reena Bhati visited the victim’s family and demanded a speedy, transparent, and impartial investigation into the murder.