Body of youth with bullet injuries found in Loni; police suspect personal enmity

Ghaziabad: The body of a youth with three bullet wounds was found by a canal near Hansraj Stadium in Loni on Wednesday night, police said.The deceased, Nitin, 20, was a resident of Baghpat, an officer said. Initial investigation suggests the incident occurred because of personal enmity. The officer said a case has been registered against two youths, Tanish and Ashutosh, who live close to the deceased.An officer said police were informed about the body by a local, who dialled the police helpline.Police believe the incident is connected to the deceased eloping with a girl a few days ago. Nitin’s cousin, who filed the complaint, said Nitin took Tanisha, a girl from the same village, to Baghpat on her request. “No case was registered in this matter. The girl also stated that she had gone of her own accord and a settlement was reached between both parties,” the complaint stated.However, the accused, Tanish and Ashutosh, who are Tanisha’s brothers, kept threatening to kill Nitin over the issue, the cousin said. “One such threat was issued in my presence as well,” he added.Siddharth Gautam, ACP of Loni, said police found Tanisha had since married another man. “However, Nitin and Tanisha were talking to each other even after the marriage, which may be the reason why the brothers decided to kill him,” the ACP said.On Wednesday, Nitin left his house around 1.30 pm, saying he was heading towards Baghpat Railway Station, his cousin said. “Hours later, police called us to inform us that his body was found on the green belt along the bank of Badi Banthla Canal,” he added.The complainant said he suspected the two brothers killed his cousin, adding that others might be involved in the crime too.Police believe Nitin was called to Loni by the accused. “They called Nitin to Loni and had a drink. After that they shot him and escaped,” the ACP said.Teams have been formed to nab the accused, and police are also checking the CCTV cameras of the nearby areas, he added.The body has been sent for an autopsy.