A horrifying incident in Meerut has resulted in the death of a 25-year-old wedding caterer, who was allegedly beaten to death and set on fire by a teenage auto-rickshaw driver after an argument over loud music. The victim, identified as Rohit Kumar, a native of Muzaffarnagar working in Mumbai, was visiting his maternal aunt in Meerut.
Argument Over Loud Music Turns Fatal
The tragic sequence of events began when Rohit boarded the auto-rickshaw. According to police, an argument erupted after Rohit objected to the loud music being played inside the vehicle. The altercation happened in front of other passengers and escalated rapidly.
Investigators state that the 16-year-old driver then drove towards an isolated area before stopping the vehicle. In a fit of rage, he picked up bricks from the roadside and struck Rohit repeatedly on the head, killing him on the spot.
Gruesome Attempt to Destroy Evidence
In a desperate bid to conceal the crime, the accused then dragged the body to some bushes near a school compound wall in the Sardhana area. He poured engine oil over the victim's body and set it ablaze before fleeing the scene.
The burning body was discovered in the early hours of Tuesday by a school security guard, who immediately alerted the police. A swift investigation led to the arrest of the teenage auto driver late on Wednesday.
Investigation and Aftermath
Vipin Tada, Senior Superintendent of Police, Meerut, explained that the accused wanted to destroy evidence and prevent identification. However, the fire did not fully consume the body. The remains were sufficient for identification, and the body was handed over to the family after a postmortem examination.
The accused has been sent to a juvenile correction facility. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting a brutal act of violence stemming from a seemingly trivial dispute.
