JAMMU, SEPT 18: A birthday celebration meant to be an evening of friendship and joy turned into a mourning scene within minutes at Lower Roop Nagar after a trivial argument over cake allegedly escalated into a fatal attack, leaving Pawan Nair alias Sameer dead and two brothers in police custody.
The shocking incident occurred on Thursday night when Neeraj alias Anshu was celebrating his birthday roadside near Lower Roop Nagar in the presence of his friends John Sotra, Gaurav Singh, Sugandh Bhatti and Pawan Nair alias Sameer. Neeraj’s brother Rishu was also present.
According to the preliminary police inquiry, the celebration took a deadly turn during the cake-cutting ceremony when Pawan allegedly smeared cake on Neeraj’s face, triggering a heated verbal exchange between the two.
As friends reportedly attempted to intervene and pacify them, Neeraj allegedly lost his temper, pulled out a sharp edged weapon (khokhri) he was carrying and attacked Pawan on the neck, causing a grievous injury.
The injured Pawan was rushed to GMC Jammu by his friends, but doctors declared him brought dead.
What began as a birthday gathering thus ended with a family and friends confronted with an unimaginable loss.
The incident was reported to Police Station Janipur through Police Post GMC Jammu at around 9 pm, following which a Janipur Police team immediately reached the hospital and initiated inquiries.
Police have registered a case under Section 103(1) BNS at Police Station Janipur and launched an investigation.
Acting within hours, Janipur Police led by SHO Inspector Shariq Bhat apprehended Neeraj alias Anshu and his brother Rishu, who are presently in police custody.
The alleged weapon of offence, a khokhri, is also being recovered as part of the investigation.
The body of the deceased has been shifted to the mortuary for post-mortem examination.
The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the area, with a birthday celebration ending not in festivities but in death, shock and mourning.
Investigators are now examining the sequence of events, the individual roles of those present and the circumstances leading to the fatal attack.
Jammu Police said strict and time-bound action will be taken against those found responsible in accordance with law.
