Punjab Newsline | Panchkula
A meeting called to settle a long-standing rivalry in Panchkula's MDC area turned into a deadly clash on Thursday night, leaving a 30-year-old juice vendor dead and another man injured. Police have detained four suspects, while the main accused, identified as Vivek, remains absconding.
The incident occurred around 9 pm at a park near the BJP office on Saketri Road in MDC. According to police, the victim, Kapil, a resident of MDC Sector 4 originally from Unnao in Uttar Pradesh, earned his livelihood by running a juice cart in the area.
Police said Kapil had been involved in a prolonged dispute with a group of local youths. Both sides had gathered at the park to resolve their differences, with nearly 20 to 25 people reportedly present. However, the discussion quickly escalated into a physical confrontation.
During the clash, Kapil was allegedly stabbed multiple times, while his associate, Abhishek alias Tanni, also sustained injuries. Despite being critically wounded, Kapil managed to reach the road outside the park before collapsing. A Dial-112 police patrol passing through the area rushed him to the Civil Hospital in Sector 6, where doctors declared him dead. Abhishek is currently undergoing treatment.
Senior police officials reached the crime scene soon after receiving information. DCP Crime Amarinder Singh inspected the spot late at night, while investigators began scanning CCTV footage from nearby locations and launched raids to arrest the remaining accused.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Kapil and the main accused, Vivek, had previously worked at the same mechanic's shop. Police said the rivalry reportedly began after Kapil allegedly got Vivek removed from the job. The two later attended the same gym, where arguments over body-shaming further intensified their hostility.
Investigators also found that Kapil had allegedly threatened Vivek with dire consequences two days before the incident, further escalating tensions. Police believe the murder was the result of this long-standing personal rivalry, with Vivek and his associates allegedly carrying out the fatal knife attack.
A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway to trace the absconding accused and establish the full sequence of events.
