A rivalry over social media fan following allegedly turned into a deadly tale of ego and violence in Amritsar. According to the police, the feud, which led to the murder of a youth in the Tehsilpura area, escalated far beyond the digital world.
Kunal, alias Lotus (22), a resident of the 88-foot-road area, was allegedly chased, stabbed and later shot dead by the prime accused, Vansh of Sharifpura, on Wednesday night.
Shocking details of the incident emerged on Friday after videos related to the crime went viral on social media. The police said Kunal’s body was allegedly paraded through the streets by Vansh and his accomplice, Rohan Kapoor, alias Golu of Tehsilpura, while another accomplice recorded the incident on video.
The police suspect that in an attempt to twist the narrative, the accused later dragged Kunal’s body outside Vansh’s house to make the incident appear as an act of self-defence. A bullet was later found lodged in the chest of the deceased.
Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that four persons, including a juvenile, have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder. According to the investigation, Kunal had allegedly entered Vansh’s house before the murder and engaged in a heated argument. Enraged over the confrontation, Vansh allegedly gathered his accomplices and planned the attack.
On Wednesday night, when Kunal stepped out to eat momos, Vansh and his associates allegedly intercepted him. The argument quickly escalated and Kunal was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon. The police said the brutality continued even after the assault.
Bhullar said that while scanning CCTV footage from the area, police teams discovered that Vansh and his accomplices not only attacked Kunal but also paraded him in public while recording videos of the incident. The footage, the police said, exposed the violence behind the accused’s alleged cover story.
“The dispute was allegedly linked to rivalry over social media followers and online popularity. What began as digital hostility eventually turned into extreme aggression,” Bhullar said. He added that the incident reflects the dangerous consequences of online conflicts spilling into real life.
Apart from Vansh and Rohan Kapoor, alias Golu, the police also arrested Vansh’s mother Sonia and a juvenile in the case. The scooter (PB-02-DQ-8386), allegedly used in the crime, has also been recovered.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu said the police have identified the accused, who allegedly shot Kunal and raids are being conducted to arrest him.
A case was registered at the A-Division police station following a complaint filed by the victim’s father, Pawan Kumar, alias Pamma. Police investigations revealed that accused Rohan Kapoor, alias Golu, is a habitual offender and already faces six criminal cases related to snatching and robbery.
The incident has once again highlighted how social media rivalries and the pursuit of online influence can spiral into real-world violence with tragic consequences.
