Land dispute turns ugly, man stabbed to death during panchayat in Panipat

A-35-year-old man was stabbed to death and his younger brother seriously injured during a panchayat held to resolve a dispute over 2.5 acres of land in Chhichhrana village on Sunday. The accused was a cousin of the deceased.

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The deceased, Sunil (35), and his brother Anil (32), were attacked with a sharp weapon after a heated argument broke out between them and their cousin Jaipal, alias Rinku.

The accused allegedly stabbed Sunil and Anil multiple times. Due to which Sunil died at the spot while Anil sustained serious injuries. Jaipal fled the spot after committing the crime.

Villagers said Subhash and Ramchander were real brothers. Sunil and Anil were the sons of Ramchander while Jaipal was the son of Subhash. The relationship between the two brothers soured as Jaipal reportedly started demanding the share of the land that belonged to Ramchander.

Sunil and Anil were not ready to accede to the demand as they had been living in the house constructed on the land for a long time. Pradeep, the deceased's brother-in-law and a resident of Khukhrana village, said the dispute had been escalating over the past two months.

A panchayat was organised at a temple in the village to resolve the dispute between the two families. Both the families along with prominent people from the village and several relatives of both the families gathered at the panchayat to resolve the issue amicably.

As the heated argument ensued between both the families and there seemed no headway, an angry Jaipal left the panchayat midway.

After some time, he reportedly returned with a knife and stabbed his cousin Sunil multiple times, Pradeep alleged. Anil tried to save his brother, but Jaipal also attacked him, he added. While Sunil died at the spot, Anil sustained serious injuries, he said.

Jaipal and his father Subhash fled the spot. DSP City Rajbir and the SHO visited the spot to inquire into the matter. SP Bhupender Singh said a case had been registered against the accused. Prima facie the reason behind the murder seemed to be a land dispute. "The teams are on the job and some persons have been rounded up. The accused would be arrested soon," the SP said.