Jammu: Demonstrating notable investigative efficiency, the Jammu Police solved a blind murder case in the Garkhal area of Akhnoor within just six hours.
An official told the news agency JKNS that on December 10 at approximately 10:00 AM, IC BPP Garkhal received information about a suspiciously placed unidentified male body in an agricultural field near Garkhal village, partially concealed with paddy stubble. Inquest proceedings under Section 194 BNSS were promptly initiated.
He said the crime scene was meticulously examined by an Executive Officer alongside a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team and a crime photographer. The deceased, later identified as Pappu Paswan, displayed visible head and facial injuries, strongly suggesting homicide. “Among the evidence collected was a blood-stained grape hoe (kassi) with a broken handle, suspected to be the murder weapon,” said the official.
He added that the victim’s wife, Meena Devi, provided crucial information during questioning. Residing in a rented property owned by Balwinder Singh alias Happy, she disclosed that the landlord had been harassing her and attempting to force an illicit relationship.
“Based on this lead, Balwinder Singh was taken in for questioning. During sustained interrogation, he confessed to the murder. The investigation revealed that on December 7, 2024, Pappu Paswan had arrived to take his wife and children back to Bishnah. However, Balwinder Singh opposed this, citing unpaid rent and issuing threats,” the official said.
He said that on December 8, while Pappu went out to purchase tobacco, Balwinder Singh lured him to his agricultural field, attacked him with the grape hoe, and fatally injured him. He then concealed the body under paddy stubble.
The case uncovered two primary motives for the crime: Balwinder Singh’s attempts to force an illicit relationship with Meena Devi and disputes over unpaid rent. The inquest proceedings were converted into an FIR (No. 223/2024) under Section 103 BNS, registered at PS Akhnoor. Balwinder Singh was arrested, and further investigations are ongoing.—(JKNS)
