A 45-year-old vegetable vendor was allegedly beaten to death by two men in Karnal, Haryana, following a dispute over a mere Rs 10. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening near the Grain Market area, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Incident Details
The victim, identified as Ramesh Kumar, a resident of the nearby Indira Colony, was selling vegetables at his regular spot when an argument erupted with two customers over the price of a vegetable. The disagreement, initially verbal, escalated quickly when the customers began hurling abuses at Kumar. As per eyewitnesses, the two men then started beating Kumar with sticks and iron rods, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Police Response and Arrests
Upon receiving information, a police team from the Civil Lines police station reached the spot and initiated an investigation. The two accused, identified as Sonu and Monu, both residents of the same locality, were arrested within hours of the incident. A case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against them. The police have also recovered the weapons used in the assault.
Senior police officials stated that the motive behind the murder was a trivial dispute over Rs 10. The victim's family has been informed, and the body has been sent for post-mortem examination. The accused are being interrogated to ascertain if they had any prior criminal record or if the dispute had any other underlying reasons.
Community Reaction
The incident has sparked outrage among local vegetable vendors and residents, who have demanded strict action against the accused. Many expressed concern over the growing trend of violence over petty issues. A protest was held near the crime scene on Thursday, with vendors shutting down their shops for a few hours to demand justice for Kumar.
Local authorities have assured that the law will take its course and that such incidents will not be tolerated. The police have increased patrolling in the area to prevent any further untoward incidents.
Legal Proceedings
The two accused have been produced before a local court and sent to judicial custody. The police are also investigating whether the accused were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. Further investigations are ongoing.
