Ex-serviceman among 4 nabbed for killing 6 over land dispute in Ambala

Ambala, July 22

An ex-serviceman, along with his family members, allegedly killed six persons, including his mother, younger brother and brother’s family members, by slitting their throats over a land dispute at Rataur village in Naraingarh on Sunday night.

The deceased were identified as Surti Devi (65), her son Harish (35), Harish’s wife Sonia (32), his daughters Pari (7) and Taru (5), and son Mayank (six months).

The police have arrested the ex-serviceman, Bhushan, his wife Poonam, and brothers-in-law Tony and Jony. Meanwhile, the officials have rounded up Bhushan’s sons Makhan and Prince, and sister-in-law Baby.

Bhushan, who had retired seven years ago, had also attacked his father Omprakash, who is currently undergoing treatment at PGI, Chandigarh.

After the crime, the accused kept the bodies on wooden logs in order to cremate them at night. Upon receiving information about it, senior police officials reached the spot and recovered the half-burnt bodies.

In his complaint, Omprakash said, “I had nearly two acres of land, which was divided between Harish and Bhushan. However, Bhushan, his wife and brothers-in-law had been pressuring us into transferring the entire land in Bhushan’s name. Subsequently, there was a rift between both sons.”

Omprakash and his wife Surti used to stay with Bhushan. He said, “Surti and I were sitting outside our house when around 9.30 pm, Bhushan and others came towards us with a sharp-edged weapon, axe and sticks in order to attack us. Bhushan slit my wife’s throat with the weapon and then attacked me. Later, they went toward Harish’s house and killed him, Sonia, Mayank and Taru.”

Omprakash, who had suffered a head injury, managed to escape and hid himself in the fields. He later came back with his acquaintance Ramesh Kumar. They found that the bodies of all five were set on fire, while Pari, who had suffered burn injuries, was crying near a water tank.

They managed to douse the fire and called the police. Omprakash and Pari were taken to a government hospital in Naraingarh, from where they were referred to PGI, Chandigarh. However, Pari succumbed to her injuries.

The bodies were shifted to Ambala Cantonment Civil Hospital for the post-mortem examination. A case has been registered at the Naraingarh police station. Bhushan was reportedly in an inebriated condition last night.

Ambala SP Surinder Singh Bhoria said, “A search operation was conducted and Bhushan, who is the prime accused, has been arrested.”

Later, Poonam, Tony and Jony were also arrested. He said, “An SIT has been formed and CCTV footages are being obtained. Further investigation is underway.”

His wife, brothers-in-law also among accused

• In his complaint, ex-serviceman Bhushan’s father Omprakash said there was a land dispute between his sons, Harish and Bhushan.
• Unhappy with his decision to divide a two-acre land between the two, Bhushan, along with his wife, two sons and brothers-in-law each and sister-in-law, killed his mother Surti, brother Harish, besides Harish’s wife Sonia and children Pari, Taru and Mayank.
• The police then arrested Bhushan, his wife Poonam, and brothers-in-law Tony and Jony for their alleged involvement in the case.