Rajkot: A dispute over an Instagram friend request turned deadly in Botad district on Thursday night when five men allegedly attacked three youths during what was supposed to be a peace meeting, leaving one of them dead and two critically injured.In a tragic twist, the man killed was not the one at the centre of the dispute but his friend, who went to negotiate a compromise.Police said the row began some time ago after Siddhraj, a resident of Khas village, sent an Instagram friend request to a woman related to Shaktisinh Dayma. Dayma allegedly took offence, leading to simmering tensions between the two sides.According to the complaint, Dayma later called Siddhraj for a meeting to settle the dispute. However, Siddhraj stayed away on the advice of his friend, Satyaraj Boricha, who decided to attend the meeting along with Harpal and Akshay to resolve the issue.The three reached the designated spot on a motorcycle. Dayma allegedly arrived with another man on a motorcycle, followed by three more associates on a second bike.Police said the talks soon degenerated into an argument. One of the assailants allegedly pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed Harpal in the chest before attacking Akshay in a similar manner. Another accused allegedly stabbed Satyaraj in the chest, while the remaining men assaulted the trio with punches and kicks.The attackers fled as people began gathering at the spot and Siddhraj also reached there. The injured youths were rushed to a hospital in Botad, where Harpal was declared dead. Akshay, who sustained critical injuries, was referred to Sir T Hospital in Bhavnagar, while Satyaraj was treated in Botad and later lodged a police complaint.Botad police have registered a case against Shaktisinh and four others for murder, attempt to murder, rioting and other offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
