NEW DELHI: In a tragic development in a long-standing murder case, a key witness was killed in Bijopura village, Uttar Pradesh, under circumstances police are describing as a targeted attack. According to local authorities, the 35-year-old man, identified only as Salman, was shot dead over the weekend, with his death linked directly to his role as a crucial witness in his brother’s murder trial, an event that has shocked the local community and renewed fears about the safety of legal witnesses.
Circle Officer Devwrat Bajpai briefed the media on Monday, stating that the incident occurred in a secluded woodland area where Salman had been taken forcibly. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds leading to his death. His body was discovered and identified on Sunday following a search by local residents.
The ongoing murder trial in which Salman was involved concerns the death of his brother, Zaid, who was murdered in Meerut four years ago. Salman had been expected to provide essential testimony in the court against the accused. The primary suspect in the fatal shooting of Salman has been named as Irfan, accompanied by four other individuals from Meerut: Kaliya, Mohammad Ali, Naimuddin, and Fazil. All five suspects currently remain at large, with police actively pursuing their whereabouts.
Police documentation reveals that Salman was under considerable pressure from the accused parties to retract his statement. His unwavering commitment to seeking justice for his brother’s death might have marked him as a target, leading up to the fatal confrontation. Legal experts suggest that this killing might set a dangerous precedent regarding witness safety in sensitive criminal cases, potentially deterring other witnesses from coming forward in the future.
The ordeal of the victim’s family continued with this recent incident, as expressed by Naushad, a sibling to both the murdered brothers. In his police complaint, Naushad conveyed the threats and harassment faced by Salman from those implicated in their brother’s death.
The murder has induced a wave of fear and anger among the locals, who demand better protection for witnesses in criminal trials. “This is not just a loss for the family but a blow to the justice system itself,” a local resident, who preferred to remain unnamed, stated. “Who will dare to stand up if being right means risking your life?”
Authorities have reassured the public that intensive search operations are underway to capture those responsible for Salman’s death, emphasizing the importance of maintaining law and order and protecting the judicial process.
The state’s chief prosecutor has vowed to expedite the trial of the accused once captured, promising that those responsible for undermining the legal process through violence will face the full force of the law. Meanwhile, legal aid groups have renewed their calls for the government to strengthen laws protecting witnesses, suggesting that such measures are vital for the health of the country’s judicial framework.
As the investigation continues, the community remains tense, hoping for swift justice to prevent any further erosion of trust in the legal system.