By Sumesh Rajan
31-12-2024
Tangla, Assam – In a shocking incident, 18-year-old Neeraj
Sharma was arrested for the brutal murder of his two stepbrothers, Gaurav
(Class 6) and Kaushik Sharma (Class 5), in Assam's Udalguri district. The boys,
aged 11 and 10, were last seen on Friday, December 20, when they left for
school on a motorbike with Neeraj. Their bodies were discovered on Saturday,
December 21, in a wooded area, 5 kilometers from their residence, with their throats
slit.
Police reported that Neeraj confessed to the murders, revealing that he took
the boys to an isolated location and killed them with a khukri (a
traditional knife). Senior police officer Vivek Raj Singh confirmed the recovery
of key evidence, including the motorbike and murder weapon. Neeraj was remanded
to police custody following his arrest.
During interrogation, Neeraj cited feelings of neglect and resentment toward
his father, Mahendra Sharma. Neeraj, a college student, alleged that his father
favored Gaurav and Kaushik, born to Mahendra's second wife, Geeta Sharma, while
ignoring him. Geeta, however, denied neglecting Neeraj, stating that any extra
care for the younger children was due to their age.
Geeta Sharma accused Neeraj’s mother, who resides in Punjab, along with her
extended family, of influencing Neeraj. She demanded their involvement be
thoroughly investigated. “He could not have committed this heinous act alone. I
demand capital punishment for all involved,” Geeta told reporters. She also
expressed fear that Neeraj might target her and her husband next.
The family had a history of disputes, with recent tensions reportedly linked
to the purchase of a bus after selling land in Nepal. Geeta dismissed property
as a motive but acknowledged the underlying discord between the two family
branches.
The killings have sparked widespread anger, with local women staging
protests and demanding swift justice for the victims. Police are investigating
all family members, including Neeraj’s maternal relatives.
The tragedy has left the local community grappling with the horrific nature
of the crime and the fractures in family ties that may have fuelled it.
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