Jammu, Sept 18: What began as a joyous birthday celebration among friends ended in tragedy in Jammu’s Lower Roop Nagar area when a young man was allegedly stabbed to death following an argument over smearing cake on the birthday boy’s face.
The deceased has been identified as Pawan Nair alias Sameer, who succumbed to a fatal neck injury allegedly inflicted during the altercation. Police have arrested two brothers accused in the case within hours of the incident.
According to police, the incident took place on the night of September 17 when Neeraj alias Anshu was celebrating his birthday by the roadside near Lower Roop Nagar. Several of his friends, including Pawan Nair, John Sotra, Gaurav Singh and Sugandh Bhatti, had gathered for the celebration. Neeraj’s brother, Rishu, was also present.
Police said that during the cake-cutting ceremony, Pawan playfully applied cake on Neeraj’s face, triggering an argument between the two. As the exchange grew heated, the other friends tried to intervene and calm the situation.
However, the situation allegedly spiralled out of control when Neeraj, in a fit of rage, pulled out a khokhri, a sharp-edged weapon, and attacked Pawan. The weapon struck Pawan on the neck, leaving him critically injured.
His friends immediately rushed him to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, but doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.
Following information received from Police Post GMC, a team from Police Station Janipur reached the hospital and launched an investigation. A case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered.
In a swift operation, police tracked down and arrested both accused brothers, Neeraj alias Anshu and Rishu. They are currently in police custody, while efforts are underway to recover the weapon used in the crime.
The body of the deceased has been shifted to the mortuary for post-mortem examination.
The shocking incident has left the local community stunned, with residents expressing disbelief that a minor dispute during a birthday celebration could escalate into a fatal act of violence. Police said further investigation is underway and assured that the case will be taken to its logical conclusion in accordance with law.