Laughing Emoji On Grandfather's Death Post, Then A 20-Year-Old's Murder

A 20-year-old was stabbed to death following a dispute over a Facebook post in Gujarat's Rajkot. The victim, Prince, was hospitalized and provided a statement to police before succumbing to his injuries. Gujarat authorities have apprehended the primary suspect, while another remains fugitive.

Prince Kumar, aged 20, originally from Bihar, was employed at a factory in Gujarat alongside three cousins. After posting a Facebook story commemorating his grandfather, Roopnarayan Bhind, who had passed away four months earlier, Prince's acquaintance from Bihar, Bipin Kumar Rajinder Gond, responded with a laughing emoji. This reaction sparked a heated exchange between them.

The verbal confrontation over the phone escalated into physical violence earlier this month.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), on September 12 at approximately 12:30 AM, Prince was seated in an auto rickshaw outside his workplace when he noticed Bipin approaching. As Prince attempted to retreat into the factory, another suspect, Brijesh Gond, blocked his path and issued death threats. During this confrontation, Bipin stabbed Prince.

Alerted by Prince's cries, his coworkers rushed to assist him and transported him first to a nearby private healthcare facility and subsequently to Rajkot Civil Hospital.

Police reported that Prince sustained a wound between one-and-a-half and two inches deep on his back. Despite his injury, he remained conscious upon hospital admission and provided his statement to authorities.

The initial medical assessment did not categorize his wound as critical. However, his condition deteriorated after four days, necessitating his transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Prince died on September 22 at 2:30 AM. Police were notified at 6:35 AM that morning.

Authorities have added section 103(1), pertaining to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, to the FIR. Bipin, the main suspect, was arrested Monday night and presented in court Tuesday. The second suspect, Brijesh, continues to evade capture.

Police are currently awaiting autopsy results to determine the precise cause of death. Preliminary findings suggest either injuries or infection could be responsible.