A 17-year-old boy allegedly shot dead a 49-year-old man in a crowded marketplace in Muradnagar on Saturday afternoon, claiming he was avenging the murder of his uncle that occurred even before he was born. The teenager later rode his motorcycle to the local police station and surrendered.
The incident took place at the busy Olympic Tiraha market, packed with shoppers and commuters. Police said the Class XI student arrived on a motorcycle, walked up to Imran, who was seated at a bicycle repair shop, and fired a shot at close range. Panic gripped the area as the victim collapsed in a pool of blood.
Locals rushed Imran to a nearby hospital, from where he was referred to another medical facility. Doctors there declared him brought dead.
Victim was on parole
Imran, a resident of Kachchi Sarai colony, was on parole at the time of the shooting. He had earlier been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the 2007 murder of Akhlaq, the teenager’s uncle.
Police said Imran had been running a milk supply business and lived with his wife, three daughters and a son.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos following the shooting. “Everyone was in shock. We did not expect anything like this to happen in broad daylight,” said a shopkeeper. Another shopper said people began running in fear as news of the shooting spread.
Teen surrenders, admits motive
After the attack, the boy went straight to Muradnagar police station and surrendered. Quoting him, a police officer said, “Sir, I have taken revenge for my uncle’s murder. I shot Imran.”
During questioning, the juvenile told investigators that stories of his uncle’s killing, repeatedly narrated within the family, had deeply affected him. Though he was not yet born when the murder took place, he said the incident shaped his thinking as he grew up.
Police revealed that the teenager had been tracking Imran’s movements for some time and had decided three years ago to seek revenge.
Case under Juvenile Justice Act
An FIR has been registered for murder and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Given the accused’s age, proceedings are being conducted under the Juvenile Justice Act, police said.
The case has once again raised concerns over cycles of violence rooted in long-standing family feuds. Similar incidents involving juveniles and serious crimes have been reported earlier, as noted in a News Karnataka report on rising youth involvement in violent offences. Another News Karnataka analysis has highlighted how unresolved disputes often resurface across generations.
For legal context on juvenile trials in India, readers may refer to the Wikipedia page on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.