A 24-year-old final-year MBBS student was found murdered in his paying guest accommodation in Patiala, with police booking his neighbour and childhood friend, Mohit Verma, who remains at large. The deceased, identified as Kamaldeep, a resident of Bareta town in Mansa district, was discovered lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds, primarily on his neck and head.
Sequence of Events
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed based on a complaint by the victim's father, Mahinderpal, Kamaldeep had informed his family on Sunday evening that Mohit Verma had arrived in Patiala and planned to stay overnight with him at the PG accommodation. The FIR further states that Kamaldeep spoke to his parents again at approximately 6:15 am on Monday, telling them he was preparing for college. When repeated calls later in the day went unanswered, his parents visited Mohit Verma's residence. Family members alleged they found Mohit at home with fresh bandages on his hands and feet. When questioned, he reportedly claimed he sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident and had returned from Patiala early in the morning, denying any knowledge of Kamaldeep's whereabouts. The family then rushed to Patiala, where acquaintances and friends checking the PG room discovered Kamaldeep's body. Police subsequently registered a murder case.
Allegations and Background
The victim's family alleged that the accused frequently borrowed money from Kamaldeep and had recently demanded Rs 5,000 from him. Kamaldeep refused to lend more money as earlier amounts, reaching a few lakhs, allegedly remained unpaid. The accused was reportedly addicted to drugs. Both studied together until Class X and later chose different streams. While Kamaldeep gained admission to Government Medical College (GMC) Patiala, Mohit enrolled at Punjabi University Patiala in another stream but dropped out a year later. Mohit's father is employed at a goldsmith's shop, according to a Bareta resident. Police stated that the investigation is ongoing and clarity will emerge only after the accused is arrested.
Police Investigation
Senior police officials, along with forensic experts, arrived at the scene on Monday soon after receiving information and cordoned off the area for investigation. The body was transferred to Government Rajindra Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact time and sequence of events leading to the murder. Sources indicated that besides multiple neck injuries, some head injuries were also recorded. Superintendent of Police (City) Palwinder Singh Cheema said the police control room received information about the incident on Monday evening. Our team reached the PG accommodation at around 5:30 pm and recovered the body from the room, he stated. Preliminary investigation suggested the victim was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon and sustained multiple stab injuries to the neck, resulting in excessive blood loss, he added.
Evidence and Leads
SSP Varun Sharma and DSP Gurbir Singh Brar said multiple angles are being examined. Investigators are also analyzing CCTV footage from the locality. Police sources revealed that a suspect was seen entering Kamaldeep's accommodation on Sunday night and fleeing the area with apparent bloodstains on his clothes on Monday morning. Raids are being conducted to apprehend the accused, while other residents of the building are also being questioned.
Victim Profile and Reactions
Kamaldeep, described by teachers and peers as a quiet and intelligent student, was pursuing his final year of MBBS and had been residing in the PG accommodation located behind the medical college campus for a considerable period. The Principal of Government Medical College, Patiala, Dr RPS Sibia, expressed grief over the incident and said the institution lost a promising student. The cremation of Kamaldeep took place on Tuesday evening in Bareta amid a large gathering of relatives, friends, and local residents. The family said Kamaldeep's sister serves as a doctor in Malerkotla, while his elder brother is preparing for competitive examinations.
