Chef stabs cousin to death

A 22-year-old boy, who was in his last year of mechanical engineering, was allegedly murdered by his first cousin over a minor issue in Andheri (east) in the early hours of Friday.

The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) police said that the alleged murderer, Shankar Singh Ratan Singh Mehra, is an alcoholic, while the deceased — Kamal Singh Mehra — did not like liquor. The two had gotten into a fight after Kamal did not accompany Shankar to a party where alcoholic drinks were being served. The police said Shankar has been remanded in its custody till January 7.

Shankar was traced and arrested early on Friday. According to MIDC police, the incident occurred at around 12 am in Din Dayal Nagar on road no. 19 in MIDC area.

Kamal lived there with his father, 19-year-old brother and his first cousin — the arrested accused Shankar (28). Shankar is a cook by profession, and he worked in a deluxe hotel.

Shankar, the police said, was under the influence of alcohol. He had come home from a late night party and picked a fight with Kamal. In a fit of rage, Shankar picked up a knife and stabbed Kamal in his chest. Shankar then panicked and rushed out. The incident took place in presence of Kamal’s father and brother.

Kamal was rushed to Seven Hills Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. An officer said he died before admission.

After the hospital authorities alerted the MIDC police, a police vehicle was rushed to the spot. A team monitored by senior police inspector, MIDC, Rajaram Mandge nabbed the accused in Kajupada area of Andheri where he was hiding.

The family of the deceased is from Uttarakhand and his mother resides there. Shankar was produced before a magistrate’s court and remanded to police custody for further probe. The police is probing if the accused has a prior criminal background. The body has been sent for a post mortem.