Bodies of two men, who reportedly went missing on Monday night, were discovered in a canal near a bridge in Greater Noida’s Dadri on Tuesday morning, the police said.
The deceased have been identified as 46-year-old Balveer Bhati, who is survived by his wife, son, and grandchildren; and 40-year-old Mahesh Bhati, a farmer who is survived by his three children. The police said Balveer and Mahesh were allegedly killed by five men in a brawl over alcohol and their bodies were later dumped in the canal. Balveer’s bike too was found in the canal.
Two arrested
The police claimed to have arrested two of the accused and launched a manhunt to nab the absconding trio. The police said Balveer had left home around 5 p.m. on Monday.
Balveer and Mahesh’s family members said they were unable to contact them since Monday night and even went looking for them. A group of morning walkers spotted the bodies floating in the canal around 8 a.m. The canal is located nearly 1 km from the homes of both victims. The family informed the police, who recovered the bodies and sent them for autopsy.
Dadri Station House Officer Ram Sen Singh said Balveer and Mahesh had gone to a restaurant in the neighbouring Rampur village around 10 p.m. on Monday with Phoolchand, Jitender and Ram Kishan to consume alcohol. Restaurant owner Ravinder, who has a criminal background, joined the group.
‘Heated argument’
“They started consuming liquor and then got into a heated argument. Balveer and Mahesh disagreed with the others, including Ravinder’s nephew Sonu. The accused beat Balveer and Mahesh to death with sticks and a spade around 11.30 p.m.,” Mr. Singh said.
The accused loaded the bodies in Sonu’s car, while one of them rode Balveer’s bike till the canal. The bodies and the bike were dumped in the canal.
“One of the victim’s brothers named in the FIR four people who were allegedly were seen with them at the restaurant in Rampur village. The police reached the restaurant in the morning and detained Ravinder and Phoolchand. They confessed to the incident. The three others are on the run and will be arrested soon,” Mr. Singh added.
The accused have been booked under Section 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 302 (punishment for murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of the Indian Penal Code.
