Villagers in shock, disbelief at double murders

Residents of a colony in Sadakpur Jonmana in Baghpat’s Baraut area are in grief as 19-year-old Balram Thakur from Nai community and Drishti Rani from Jat community were killed allegedly by the latter’s father inside her house on Sunday morning. 

According to the police, Balram was in a relationship with Drishti, but their families were not aware of it. Baghpat SP Arpit Vijayvargiya said on Sunday morning, Balram had gone to meet Drishti at her house in her family’s absence. However, her father Pushpendra returned early and reportedly found them in a ‘compromising position’. This enraged him and in a fit of rage, he allegedly strangled them, they add.

The police have arrested Mr. Pushpendra and her cousin Vineet after registering an FIR based on a complaint lodged by Balram’s father, Rajeshwar. Two others are absconding, the police said.

Meanwhile, the murders have left the people shocked and in disbelief. On Monday afternoon, as women gather at Balram’s house, men are seated outside discussing “how the situation unfolded”.

Balram’s mother struggles to talk about the incident. She, along with many other women, had gone to Shamli to attend a funeral. “Only for me to return to attend my son’s last rites,” she says.

Balram’s sister Meenakshi Thakur explains what happened. She says, “Drishti’s brother and Balram were very good friends, they spent most of their time together. On Sunday, at 9 a.m., he came home to call Balram to his house. No one was home that day. So Balram told his grandmother that he’ll return home in five minutes…and then, his body came back…”

When Balram did not return, the family made 30 phone calls, all went unanswered, she says. When the family went to the house, they saw policemen outside. “We got scared… the police told me my brother was fine…but when we returned, everybody in the village told us the two were killed.…I felt my entire world was snatched away from me…” Ms. Meenakshi said. 

“We don’t know if they had an affair. An even if they did, is this how you treat a person? This man killed my son, his own daughter…this is hate crime…you could have scolded him, they could have hit him with sticks, they could have taken him to the police…but who allowed them to take law in their hands, “ says Balram’s grandmother Savita Devi, 65.

While Balram was a BA first year student, and enrolled for coaching for the Staff Selection Commission and had dreams of joining the Army, like his brother, grandfather and uncle. Drishti was undergoing computer training in Baraut.