Bhopal man killed in Diwali firecracker row; two arrested, six absconding, SIT formed

A minor quarrel over bursting firecrackers on Diwali night in Bhopal's Ibrahimganj turned into a fatal attack in which Aniket Khatik died. Two videos shot after the attack have now surfaced, showing the scene that followed.

In the videos, Aniket is seen lying unconscious on the road, drenched in blood. The screams of people nearby can be heard, and they appear to be trying to get him to hospital. According to the videos, people from the accused side kept abusing Aniket's mother and also kept throwing stones at her.

According to police, the accused were bursting firecrackers in front of their house on Diwali night. Splashes of drain water and mud thrown up by the firecrackers landed towards Aniket's house. Aniket's family objected, and an argument quickly broke out between the two sides. It escalated from abuse to a physical fight and stabbing.

Aniket and his mother, Sunita, were seriously injured in the attack. Aniket died during treatment in hospital. Sunita is now out of danger and has been discharged after treatment.

Police have arrested Aditya Raikwar, alias Adi (19), and Prem Waskar (18), both residents of Ibrahimganj. During questioning, both admitted to being involved in the incident. Six accused, including Ankit and Raghav, are still absconding.

DCP Ayush Gupta has formed a special investigation team (SIT) led by ACP Arvind Singh Rajput to arrest the absconding accused. The team includes Hanumanganj police station in-charge Awadhesh Singh Bhadauria, Sub-Inspector B S Verma, and personnel from the Crime Branch and the cyber cell.

The SIT has been given three tasks: to catch the absconding accused, to establish the role of each person in the crime, and to identify those who wielded knives. With the videos out, it will be important to establish which accused were present at the scene and what role each played. Police may examine the videos.

The incident took place in Ibrahimganj, under the Hanumanganj police station limits. The deceased, Aniket, was 25.