Painter killed for Rs 9,000

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 18

The body of a painter, who was missing for the last two days, was found near a canal in Jagraon. He was reportedly killed by an old worker, to whom the deceased owed Rs9,000.

The deceased has been identified as Bipin Kumar, a native of Bihar. He was presently living in Jagraon. The accused has been identified as Harinder Singh of Talwandi Rai near Raikot.

Investigating Officer ASI Baljinder Singh said on January 15 afternoon, the accused called the deceased to his home, where the two entered into a heated argument after the accused forced the deceased to return his Rs9,000. In no time, the arguments took a ghastly turn and Harinder hit Bipin on his head with an iron rod. After he died, Harinder stacked the body in some sack and dumped it on the side of the canal in Bahadur ke village.

On January 16, when the body was spotted by some passerby, the police were informed and later it was identified as that of Bipin. The ASI said when the call details of the deceased were checked, the needle of suspicion pointed towards Harinder. When he was rounded up, he confessed to having killed painter Bipin. The accused said he worked for Bipin about a year ago but he had to pay Rs9,000 as labour charges to him. He said whenever he asked him to pay, he ignored his plea. He said he killed him as he again refused to return his money. Notably, the kin and friends of the deceased held a protest outside the Jagraon police station on Friday demanding justice.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.