19-year-old first-year BSc student was allegedly killed while sleeping outside his home in Gorakhpur’s Jayantipur village, with police examining several possible motives, including a suspected affair and an earlier ransom demand.
The student, identified as Shubham Mishra, was reportedly alone at home when the incident took place. His family had travelled to Lucknow for his father’s kidney treatment.
Student attacked while sleeping
Shubham had dinner on Wednesday night before going to sleep on the veranda outside the house. Around 5 am on Thursday, an unidentified attacker allegedly struck him on the head with a sharp weapon.
Villagers later found him seriously injured and took him to a nearby primary health centre, where doctors declared him dead. A forensic team examined the scene and collected evidence.
Police have registered a case against an unidentified person and formed eight teams to investigate the killing. CCTV footage, mobile location data, call records and other digital evidence are being examined.
Mobile chats under police scanner
Investigators are examining Shubham’s mobile phone and WhatsApp conversations as part of the probe. Police are reportedly looking into a possible relationship angle after finding material that may point towards an affair.
However, the motive has not been established and investigators are also examining whether the student had any recent dispute or rivalry with acquaintances.
Old ransom case also being examined
Police are also looking into a previous case involving Shubham’s father. According to the family, Rs 20 lakh had allegedly been demanded from his father in 2021, following which a case was registered and security was provided to the family.
Investigators are examining whether that old dispute has any connection with the student’s killing.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police working to identify the attacker and establish the exact motive behind the murder.