16-year-old stabs boy to death over phone damage repairs

Surat: A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Pandesara late on Wednesday night, after a quarrel with another 16-year-old boy over a dispute linked to a damaged mobile phone.

Police have detained the accused and initiated murder proceedings.

Deva Gupta was allegedly attacked by the 16-year-old boy when he went to latter’s house to sort out a dispute between his friend and the accused.

His father, Santosh Gupta (43), a food cart owner in Pandesara, filed a complaint.

Santosh stated that he was at home on Wednesday night when he was told that his son had been stabbed and taken to Surat Civil Hospital. At the hospital, Deva’s friend, also 16, told him about the quarrel behind the attack.

The friend said the accused had earlier on Wednesday evening sought a lift from him while he was with another friend. The accused took Deva’s friend to a ground where some of his friends were present and accused him of not paying money he owed. The accused allegedly took the key of the friend’s two-wheeler before returning it later, after which the friend left.

Later that night, the friend met Deva at a tea stall and narrated the incident. Deva suggested they inform the accused’s parents and, with a couple of other friends, went to the accused’s house around 11pm.

The accused was sleeping on the terrace and came down after being called. An argument followed, during which the accused’s mother also intervened. Police said the accused then went inside the house, returned with a knife and stabbed Deva.

Pandesara inspector K D Jadeja said, “A few days ago, Deva’s friend had accidentally dropped the accused’s phone, damaging the screen. The accused spent Rs 1,500 on repairs and sought the money, which Deva’s friend agreed to pay. On Wednesday evening, the accused demanded the money. The victim tried to intervene and resolve the matter but was stabbed during the argument.”

Deva was initially admitted to Surat Civil Hospital and later shifted to a private hospital. He succumbed to his injuries on Thursday afternoon. Police said murder charges were added to the case.

35-year-old killed in Amroli

Amroli police registered a murder case in connection with the death of a 35-year-old man reported last week. The victim, Hiralal Garasiya, was allegedly killed by Ramesh Garasiya on May 15.

The men, both from Rajasthan, had a quarrel over an unspecified issue, during which Ramesh allegedly attacked Hiralal with a sharp weapon, killing him on the spot. Police said further investigation is under way to ascertain the motive.