A 30-year-old JCB operator was allegedly beaten to death in Haryana’s Yamunanagar district after being accused of harassing a married woman, in what police are investigating as a case of murder arising out of personal suspicion.The incident took place in Natthanpur village under the jurisdiction of Chhachhrauli Police Station. Police have registered a murder case against two accused and launched a manhunt to apprehend them.

The deceased has been identified as Aqeel, a resident of Pajrana village in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district. He was employed as a JCB operator at a private industrial unit in Natthanpur and had been living in rented accommodation near the plant for the past one-and-a-half months. He is survived by his wife and three young children.

According to the complaint lodged by Musharraf, the victim’s cousin and former village head of Pajrana, Aqeel had repeatedly objected to the accused’s wife grazing goats inside the premises of the industrial plant where he worked. The complainant alleged that the accused, identified as Anil Pujari, began suspecting Aqeel of having improper intentions towards his wife despite there being no such incident.

On Wednesday afternoon, Anil, accompanied by his wife and two associates, allegedly reached Aqeel’s rented room and assaulted him. The complainant alleged that the accused later forcibly took Aqeel to their own room, where he was allegedly confined and subjected to a prolonged assault.According to the complaint, a cook working nearby attempted to intervene but was allegedly threatened with dire consequences and forced to leave.After nearly two hours, other workers from the industrial unit reached the spot and managed to bring Aqeel out of the room. They found him in a critical condition and attempted to provide him with water. However, he reportedly collapsed and died shortly afterwards.

Police were informed immediately and reached the scene. The body was taken into custody and sent for post-mortem examination, while the victim’s family members were informed and later arrived from Saharanpur.

Station House Officer Ved Pal of Chhachhrauli Police Station said an FIR has been registered against Anil Pujari and his brother under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to murder.

Police said raids are being conducted to arrest the accused, and investigators are examining all circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials added that further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation and the post-mortem report.

 POD/DESK