Peter(24), Syed (26), Murgesh (24) and John Raj (23) were friends from childhood

since they all went to ‘New Hope High School’. Murgesh had discontinued the

education after his 9th grade and had given in to anti-social habits such as

consuming drugs and had been a regular consumer. He was also involved in

petty crimes such as pickpocketing, eve teasing etc. Syed and Peter had studied

B.Com at ‘Henry College of Commerce’ after their school and had together set up

an ‘Automobile spares’ shop while John had finished his Engineering and had

thereafter moved to Germany to pursue higher studies.

John and Murgesh had a spat while they were in 7 th grade and had not spoken

since. The incident had also gained a lot of light since the respective parents were

called by the school authorities and the kids were also suspended because of the

fight.

The ‘New Hope High School’ had organized an alumni event on 26/01/2022 to

which all the above were invited. All of them attended the function including

John as he had briefly returned to India. Peter had a brother named David (14)

who was still studying in the said school in his 9 th grade and had been

designated as the school captain and he hence had the lead role in making the

necessary arrangements at the alumni meet.

Peter, Syed and John Raj exchanged pleasantries and went together for lunch that

was arranged at the event. While having lunch, John enquired Peter of his
current placement in life and learnt that Peter had set up a small automobile

business along with Syed. John instantly remarked that Peter had failed in life

and said “I always told you not to mingle with Syed. He has always been useless

and now you have miserably failed in life. God help you both!” and he left from

the place. Peter seemed infuriated while Syed showed no visible anger. The

incident was also witnessed by David as he was managing the crowd. The news

also reached Murgesh.

Murgesh thereafter met Syed and Peter along with their other friend, Harish.

Peter remarked “John must repent for what he did. We should teach him a

lesson”. Murgesh took some substance out of his pocket and gave it to Syed and

Peter to consume; claiming that it would ease their anger. Murgesh thereafter

said “This should be his last lesson, he should die”. When enquired about the

substance, Murgesh brushed it aside stating that it was only some kind of

chewable and not harmful. It was at this time when David had approached the

group and requested his brother for the keys of his shop claiming that he needed

something from there. David retired early from the event and left the place with

the keys.

Syed and Peter acted unusual and there was a change in their behavior. Syed,

Peter and Murgesh after discussing sometime amongst themselves, requested

Harish to somehow get John Raj near a secluded place behind Henry College so
that they could teach him a lesson. The group dispersed at 9PM after Harish had

promised that he would somehow get John Raj to the secluded place the next

morning at 8AM.

As agreed, Peter and Murgesh had come near the spot at 8AM on the morning of

27/01/2022 but Syed had not turned up. Peter told Murgesh that he felt out of

world the previous day after consuming the substance. Harish came running to

the spot by 8:25 AM and shouted “Murder! Murder! Someone has killed Johnny

last night”. John Raj had been hit with a bike handle and had succumbed to the

injury. Murgesh smiled and did not react.

A girl named Priya had claimed that one of her friends had seen John with Syed

on the night of 26/01/2022 at 8:30PM; shouting at each other. The Kallkatte

Police arrested Syed from his home based on the assertion made by Priya.

During investigation, the Kallkatte Police were able to seize the murder weapon

from David’s house which had been hidden under his bed. The blood on the

weapon had matched the blood of the victim and the injury also seemed to have

been caused by the said weapon.

Police filed charge sheet against Syed and David for the offences punishable

under Sections 302, 120B r/w. 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.