Pune Police Detain Three 15-Year-Olds for Murder of Teen Over Friendship Dispute
In a shocking incident that has rattled the city, the Alankar police in Pune on Wednesday detained three 15-year-old boys on charges of murdering another teenager of the same age. The crime, which occurred on Republic Day, January 26, allegedly stemmed from a dispute over friendship with a girl, leading to the brutal killing and subsequent dumping of the victim's body into the Mula river.
Missing Person Report Leads to Investigation
The case came to light when the victim's mother filed a missing person report on Tuesday after her son failed to return home. Sunita Rokade, senior inspector at Alankar police station, provided details of the initial investigation. The boy typically managed his social media account using his mother's phone. When his brother later checked the profile, he discovered a message from a girl that had been sent on the day of the victim's disappearance.
This discovery initially directed police attention toward the girl. However, further scrutiny revealed a disturbing twist: the girl had not actually sent any message to the victim on January 26. Instead, police analysis of the profile activity indicated that someone had created a fake social media account using the girl's name and photographs to lure the boy out of his home.
Digital Investigation Uncovers Fake Profile
Utilizing digital forensic techniques, investigators traced the fake profile back to a 15-year-old boy. During questioning, this suspect confessed to the murder, revealing that he and two other minor accomplices had carried out the killing. The suspects admitted to bludgeoning the victim with a stone and throwing his body into the river.
According to Rokade, the primary suspect was reportedly in a relationship with the girl and had grown increasingly resentful as she and the victim became closer. He explicitly told investigators that he was strictly against their friendship, which appears to have been the motive behind the premeditated attack.
Republic Day Plot and Failed Recovery Efforts
On Republic Day, the suspects allegedly used the fake social media account to contact the victim, convincing him to meet at a specific location. They then took him to a secluded spot along the Mutha riverbank in the Deccan area, where the murder was committed. Following the confession, police and fire brigade teams conducted extensive searches in the Mutha river late Wednesday evening but were unable to locate the victim's body.
Background of the Suspects and Victim
All individuals involved in this tragic case were residents of Kothrud in Pune. The police noted that the suspects and the deceased were school dropouts who engaged in odd jobs to support themselves. This detail adds a layer of socioeconomic context to the crime, highlighting potential vulnerabilities among disengaged youth.
The investigation continues as authorities work to gather additional evidence and formally charge the detained minors. This incident underscores the dangerous consequences of social media manipulation and interpersonal conflicts among teenagers, raising serious concerns about youth violence in urban areas.
