Youth flies in from NZ, kills mother’s second hubby in UP

The victim, Navjot Singh, was shot dead outside his car service centre in the Milak Khanam area of Rampur on Saturday; cops questioning the two accused to establish the sequence of events

MEERUT The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday arrested a 22-year-old man, who flew from New Zealand, and his cousin in connection with the killing of a 35-year-old man due to animosity over remarriage of the accused’s mother in Rampur district, an officer said.

The dispute reportedly began around nine months ago, when Navjot married Kamal Kaur, 49, a widow, after the death of his first wife. (Pic for representation)

According to police, the accused have been identified as Avdeep Singh, a New Zealand-based dairy worker, and his cousin Rajandeep Singh (26), a resident of Rampur. Six others have also been booked.

Navjot Singh, a resident of Tah Kalan village, was shot dead outside his car service centre in the Milak Khanam area on Saturday. Police said they were questioning the two accused.

The dispute reportedly began around nine months ago, when Navjot married Kamal Kaur (49), a widow, after the death of his first wife. The couple lived in close proximity. Kamal’s two sons, Avdeep and Joganpreet Singh, moved to New Zealand around three years ago following their father’s death and were allegedly opposed to their mother’s marriage.

A relative of Navjot said a panchayat had been convened in an attempt to resolve the dispute. The relative also alleged that the brothers had threatened Navjot in the past.

In the present case, police registered a first information report (FIR) under sections 61(2) (criminal conspiracy),103(1) (murder) and 109(1) (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against eight people, including Kamal’s two sons and their relatives, at Milak Khanam police station. The other accused have been identified as Veer Singh, Sanpreet Singh, Tarsem Singh, Charanjit Singh, Sultan Singh and Joganpreet. The complaint was filed by the victim’s father, Nishan Singh.

“We are questioning Avdeep and Rajandeep to ascertain the details of the case. As part of the investigation, we are also trying to establish swhen Avdeep returned from New Zealand,” SP (Rampur) Anil Kumar Singh said, adding that the police were also investigating the possible involvement of other people in the murder.