Middle-aged man murdered over picnic money dispute

A middle-aged man was stabbed to death at Kotwali near Krishnanagar following a heated altercation over share of money to organise a picnic on Thursday night.

Family members of the accused claimed it to be an outcome of the altercation, -but police suspect that old rivalry between them had led to the crime.

A police officer said that five persons including the victim Babu Mahato had gathered in the residence of one of the accused where they were supposed to plan a picnic on Sunday.

One of the accused was in an inebriated state and refused to accept a proposal over the share of money given by the victim.

As a result they decided not to discuss on the issue any further and left the place.

After reaching a deserted place, the accused person started beating up Babu till he fell on the ground.

The two other friends had also started beating him up.

One of them was carrying a dagger and stabbed Babu repeatedly. On Friday morning, a local resident spotted the body and informed the police.

The police sent the body for an autopsy and initiated a probe in this connection.

All the accused persons are at large. Police conducted raids at different places in search of the accused but are yet to arrest them.

Police spoke to the victim’s family members and got names of some persons with whom he had a quarrel a few days ago following some business related dispute.

Police questioned those persons but couldn’t get any clue about the hideouts of the accused.

Police suspect that it was a pre-planned murder as one of the accused was carrying a sharp knife with him, which is quite unusual. But the exact reason behind the crime is yet to be ascertained by the police.