What began as an ordinary birthday celebration in Lower Roop Nagar of Jammu city ended in tragedy, as a playful prank over a cake allegedly spiralled into a fatal knife attack that left one family shattered. Police have intensified their investigation into the murder of Pawan Nair, alias Sameer, who was allegedly stabbed with a kukri by a friend during what was supposed to be a night of celebration.
Investigators are now trying to determine why the accused, Neeraj alias Anshu, brought a kukri to his own birthday party in the first place. On Friday, amid tight security arrangements, Sameer’s post-mortem examination was conducted at the mortuary of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. After completion of the autopsy and other legal formalities, the body was handed over to the family for the last rites.
A Cake Smeared in Jest, a Friendship Turned Fatal
On the night of September 17, Neeraj alias Anshu was celebrating his birthday in Lower Roop Nagar, on the outskirts of Jammu city. His friends, Jan Sotra, Gaurav Singh, Sugandh Bhatti, and Pawan Nair alias Sameer, were present at the celebration. Neeraj’s brother, Rishu, was also there.
During the cake-cutting ceremony, Pawan smeared cake on Neeraj’s face as part of the celebrations.
An argument subsequently broke out between the two. As the dispute escalated, Neeraj allegedly took out a sharp-edged weapon, described as a kukri, that he was carrying and stabbed Pawan in the neck. Seriously injured, Pawan was rushed by his friends to Government Medical College, Jammu, where doctors declared him dead.
Following the incident, police at Janipur Police Station took Neeraj alias Anshu and his brother, Rishu, into custody. Both are being questioned. Police are also focusing on recovering the kukri allegedly used in the crime. According to the police, the accused hid the weapon somewhere after the murder. Based on information obtained during interrogation, efforts are being made to recover it.
During the investigation, police also learned that immediately after Sameer was injured, two young men who were present at the birthday celebration took Neeraj and his brother, Rishu, away from the scene. Police are now searching for the two men and trying to determine where they took the accused and whether they assisted them in fleeing the spot.
Investigators are also examining whether the two men who allegedly helped the accused leave the scene were aware of the circumstances surrounding the attack. Further action will be taken after their roles are established. Police are conducting raids at possible hideouts and questioning other persons in connection with the case.
The possibility of a conspiracy is also being investigated.
Family members of the deceased, Sameer, said he had no previous dispute with Neeraj and had attended the birthday celebration happily. The family alleged that if Neeraj was already carrying a kukri, the circumstances under which he brought the weapon to the birthday party should also be investigated.
The family expressed suspicion that the murder may have been the result of a premeditated conspiracy. Police, however, said all possibilities, including this aspect, were being examined and that a conclusion would be reached on the basis of evidence and facts emerging during the investigation.
Special security arrangements were made during the post-mortem examination at GMC Jammu, while police also increased surveillance on the hospital premises.
A case has been registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway.