The Kashmir Pulse

KATHUA — In a chilling case of friendship turning fatal over a suspected love rivalry, police in Kathua have arrested a 19‑year‑old youth for the brutal daylight murder of his close friend, 18‑year‑old Nakul Singh. The accused has been identified as Parth Verma alias Sumit, who allegedly bludgeoned Nakul to death with a cricket bat inside the victim’s home over a love rivalry.

The shocking crime, which has sent shockwaves across Kathua town, occurred on May 6 at Nakul Singh’s residence in Ward No. 10 near Rajbagh. Nakul was found dead in a pool of blood, while his younger brother, 16‑year‑old Nikhil Singh, was critically injured in the attack.

Addressing the media, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua Mohita Sharma, as per the news agency KNO, said the case was cracked using technical surveillance, including tracking the missing mobile phone of the deceased.

“After registering the FIR, multiple police teams were constituted. During the investigation, the missing iPhone of the deceased was traced with the help of technical inputs. Sustained interrogation of suspects led to a confession by the accused. The stolen mobile phone was also recovered on his disclosure, in the presence of a magistrate,” the SSP said.

According to police, the accused visited Nakul Singh’s house around 11:40 AM on the day of the incident and even made a phone call to another friend using Nakul’s mobile phone before the situation escalated.

Investigators revealed that a heated argument broke out between the two friends over a girl, exposing what police described as a “love angle” behind the murder.

“The argument quickly escalated into a physical altercation driven by jealousy and personal rivalry. In a fit of rage, the accused allegedly picked up a cricket bat lying inside the room and struck Nakul Singh on the head, killing him on the spot,” SSP Sharma said.

Police said the violence did not stop there. When Nakul’s younger brother Nikhil entered the house during the attack, the accused allegedly panicked and repeatedly assaulted him with the same cricket bat in an attempt to eliminate an eyewitness.

“The accused fled the scene after leaving behind the blood‑stained cricket bat and taking away the victim’s mobile phone,” the officer added. The murder weapon has since been recovered, and forensic evidence from the crime scene has been collected.

Nikhil Singh remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at AIIMS Jammu, where he is currently on ventilator support.

Police said the investigation is being strengthened to ensure strict punishment for the accused. “Justice will be delivered only through conviction,” SSP Sharma said.

SRINAGAR — The cabinet on Friday discussed the implementation of 200 units of free electricity for AAY families in Jammu & Kashmir and also approved the reorganisation of the Jal Shakti Department, sources disclosed.

According to unnamed sources quoted by the news agency KNO, the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah deliberated on the modalities of providing 200 units of electricity to AAY families.

According to sources, there was a variation in the data of AAY families, with figures from the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs conflicting with those of the Power Development Department.

“The data of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department will be used for providing free electricity to families,” sources revealed.

The 200 units of free electricity will be provided every month to AAY families under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY).

Sources further disclosed that the cabinet also approved the proposal for the reorganisation of the Jal Shakti Department.

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