Noida: Tension prevailed in the Jewar area of Greater Noida after the body of a 15-year-old boy, who went missing under suspicious circumstances, was found in an abandoned house in a neighbouring village late Friday night. The killing sparked widespread outrage, with villagers staging a road blockade and protest for nearly four hours on Saturday, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and capital punishment for those responsible.The deceased, Gopal, son of Ravi Bhushan alias Bunty and a resident of Banwari Bans village in Jewar, was missing since May 21. According to police and family members, Gopal went missing from outside his house. When he failed to return till late that night, the family approached the police and a missing person report was registered.Police teams were subsequently formed to trace the teenager and searches were conducted in nearby areas. However, around 11 pm on Friday, the family received information that the body of a boy was lying inside an abandoned house in neighbouring Rohi village. Family members and police personnel rushed to the spot and identified the body as Gopal.Officials said the body was found lying in a pool of blood inside the deserted house. The room reportedly carried a strong foul smell as decomposition had begun. Preliminary investigation revealed that the teenager suffered severe injuries to the head and body. Police sources said the victim appeared to have been brutally assaulted before being killed. His eyes and tongue were protruding, indicating severe physical trauma.The incident triggered anger among residents. After the post-mortem examination was conducted on Saturday morning, the body was handed over to the family. As it reached Jewar, villagers gathered near Sabauta Cut and attempted to block the road. Carrying placards and banners, protesters demanded the death penalty for the accused and accused the police of failing to prevent the crime.The protest continued for nearly four hours as grieving family members and villagers sat on a dharna with the body. Police personnel attempted to prevent the blockade, leading to heated arguments between villagers and officials.With tensions escalating, heavy police deployment was made in the area. Teams from several police stations, including Rabupura and Dankaur, were sent to the protest site. Senior officers, including Jewar ACP Sarthak Sengar and Additional DCP Santosh Kumar, reached the spot and assured villagers that the case would be solved soon and all accused persons would face strict legal action.Following the assurance, family members called off the protest and later performed the boy’s last rites.Police said the missing person case has now been converted into a murder investigation. Three teams comprising local police, surveillance units and SWAT personnel have been formed to probe the case. CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined and several suspects are being questioned.Family members have alleged that some of the victim’s friends may be involved in the murder. Acting on suspicion, police have detained around a dozen people for questioning and are tracing the locations and movements of those who were in contact with the teenager on the day he went missing. Further legal proceedings are under way, police said.
