Mumbai: 14-year-old Bhandup boy allegedly murdered by classmates

Ongoing disputes between classmates allegedly led to the fatal assault. Representation pic/istock

A 14-year-old boy from Bhandup West was allegedly murdered by three of his classmates days after he went missing.

On February 22, around 3 pm, he left home saying he was going out to play. His father had scolded him earlier that day over his studies, and the family believed he may have left home upset because of it. When he did not return, they searched the area and later approached the Bhandup police station.

A missing complaint was registered, and, as he was a minor, a kidnapping case was subsequently filed.

Body recovered

On February 26, the Mulund police recovered a body floating in Vihar lake. "The body was spotted in Vihar lake near Vihar village on the Mithi River, within the limits of Sanjay Gandhi National Park," a police officer said. The deceased was later identified as the missing teenager. Post-mortem findings revealed a head injury as the cause of death, ruling out drowning.

Murder plot

During interrogation, the three minors allegedly confessed that they had taken him to the lake following ongoing disputes. "The boy allegedly used to dominate and physically assault them, leading to resentment. A quarrel broke out, during which one of them allegedly struck him on the head with an object. After he collapsed, they removed his clothes, pushed him into the water, and fled," a police officer added.

Timeline

Feb 22, 3 pm: Boy leaves home

Feb 22: Missing complaint, kidnapping case filed

Feb 26: Body recovered from Vihar lake

What the police found

>> Friends claimed he went swimming

Post-mortem: Death due to head injury

>> Clothes removed before body dumped

Police action

>> Three 14-year-old classmates apprehended
>> Produced before the Juvenile Justice Board
>> Remanded to the juvenile home in Dongri
>> Further investigation underway