In the Indian city of Aligarh, a dispute over money won in an online Ludo game turned deadly when a man allegedly killed his friend with a hammer after he refused to pay a relatively small amount.
Police have arrested the suspect and launched a detailed investigation.
According to details, the murder took place on 5 November, but the case came to light on 13 November. Superintendent of Police Amrit Jain said that a young man, identified as Dinesh Kumar, left home on 5 November claiming he was going to the employment office, but never returned.
After failing to trace him for several days, Dinesh’s family lodged a missing persons report at the police station. On 13 November, his skeletal remains, along with his clothes and slippers, were recovered from near a canal.
Police formed a special investigation team to pursue the case. The victim’s motorcycle was later found hidden among grass in a nearby wooded area. Based on physical evidence, police arrested Dinesh’s friend.
Thirty-year-old Vishnu confessed to the murder during interrogation, stating that both friends regularly gambled on online Ludo games. In the first round, he claimed to have won around 7,000 rupees from Dinesh, but the victim allegedly avoided paying the amount.
Police said the accused claimed that Dinesh abused and threatened him. On 3 November, the two reportedly gambled again, during which Dinesh lost a further 10,000 rupees. A dispute then broke out over a total amount of 17,000 rupees.
Out of personal resentment, the accused allegedly attacked Dinesh near a bridge, striking him multiple times on the head with a hammer and a stick, killing him on the spot. He then dumped the body near a canal and concealed the victim’s motorcycle nearby.
Police say further investigation into the case is ongoing.
