Yogesh

Jammu, May 11 : In a tragic development in the Kathua murder case, the younger brother of the slain youth has succumbed to his injuries at AIIMS Jammu, officials said on Monday.

The deceased, identified as Nikhil Singh (16), died late Sunday night while undergoing treatment for critical head injuries at AIIMS Vijaypur.

The assault, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), had already claimed the life of his elder brother Nakul Singh (18) earlier this week.

Police have arrested 19-year-old Parth Verma alias Sumit in connection with the case.

According to investigators, the accused allegedly killed Nakul inside his house in Ward No. 10 of Kathua on May 6, following an argument over a suspected love rivalry.

Police said the accused, a friend of the victim, attacked Nakul with a cricket bat during the altercation, leading to his death on the spot.

Nikhil reportedly entered the house during the assault and was attacked by the accused in an alleged attempt to eliminate an eyewitness. He had been on ventilator support since the incident before succumbing to his injuries.

Senior Superintendent of Police Mohita Sharma had earlier said the case was cracked using technical surveillance and sustained interrogation.

Police also recovered the blood-stained cricket bat used in the crime, along with the deceased’s mobile phone.

With Nikhil’s death, the case is likely to be treated as a double murder. Police said further investigation is underway—(KNO)