Punjab Newsline | Zirakpur (Mohali)
Police have arrested Harpal Kashyap and his son Rahul in connection with the recovery of a headless body near Nature Park in the Peer Muchalla area of Zirakpur. A third accused, identified as Manoj, is still absconding. Police are also searching for the sickle allegedly used in the murder.
According to the investigation led by Inspector Pradeep Bajwa of the Kharar CIA, the murder was allegedly motivated by revenge over the death of Harpal’s son, Bablu, about a month ago. Bablu’s body was found in a forest area of Panchkula and was cremated as unidentified. Harpal reportedly learned about his son’s death later and suspected Vishal, Bablu’s friend, and his family of being involved.
Police suspect that Harpal conspired with Rahul and Manoj to kill Vishal. The accused allegedly used a sickle to sever Vishal’s head from his body. The body was subsequently dumped near Nature Park in Peer Muchalla.
Harpal and Rahul originally belong to Maithra village in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district and were living in a rented accommodation in Shiv Nagar, Peer Muchalla. Vishal was the second of five brothers. In 2017, he married Roli, a native of Unnao in Uttar Pradesh, in a love marriage. The couple have a 10-month-old son.
Wife and Infant Missing Since October 6
According to the information gathered during the investigation, Roli left home with her child on October 6 to buy milk but did not return. Vishal subsequently went looking for his wife and child. He also visited a dhaba where Roli had previously worked, suspecting that she might have left with its owner. An argument reportedly took place there.
Police sources said Manoj accompanied Vishal to the dhaba during the search. Information about Manoj’s presence at the location proved significant in establishing the alleged involvement of the accused, leading the CIA team to investigate their roles in the crime.
Police suspect that after leaving the dhaba, the accused intercepted Vishal in a forested area, murdered him and dumped his body near Nature Park in Peer Muchalla.
Headless Body Found on October 8
The case came to light on October 8, when a headless body was found near the park. Police identified the deceased as Vishal and began examining his movements and the circumstances leading up to his death.
A case has been registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder.
Police will produce the arrested accused before a court and seek their remand for further questioning. Investigators are also working to recover the weapon and establish the conspiracy and the individual roles of all three accused.
Meanwhile, Roli and her 10-month-old son remain untraced. Police are continuing efforts to locate them as part of the investigation.
