Mumbai Crime: Man kills friend who turned hostile in court

Accused Jitendra Chudiyan and Deceased Vikram Walmiki

Blinded by anger, a 38-year-old man killed his friend for refusing to identify in court the people who had beaten the former black and blue several years ago. In 2012, when a mob attacked Vikram Valmiki, 34, his friend Jitendra Chudiyan came to his rescue and was thrashed badly.

When a case was registered, Vikram, a resident of Vidyavihar, had agreed to become a witness, but during the trial in February last year, he refused to identify the attackers.

"Vikram was the target of the assaulters and he said so in his testimony. But he told the court that didn't know the attackers and even refused to recognise them. And the accused were freed," said an officer from Tilak Nagar police station.

"Jitu, who had risked his life in the assault, felt dejected and was angry with Vikram," the officer added.

A year later, on Tuesday, he called Vikram for a drink. They sat behind a shop near Jitendra's house and started drinking. "When Jitu saw Vikram was inebriated, he took out a knife and stabbed him on his face and chest. Vikram started bleeding profusely," said another officer.

Residents who witnessed the assault immediately informed the police and in the meanwhile rushed Vikram to Rajawadi Hospital where he died. The police arrested Jitendra, alias Jitu, from his residence and booked him under Sections 302 (murder) and 504 (intent to provoke breach of peace) of the IPC, and relevant sections of the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act.

Jitu is a history-sheeter, who was externed twice in the past by the Tilak Nagar police.

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