Armyman killed in UP after testifying in murder case

MEERUT: Two days after an Army jawan testified in court against the accused in the 2021 murder case of his cousin, he was shot dead barely 300 m from his house in Mudikhedi village of Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday night.
Naik Vikrant Gujjar (25) was posted in Jammu and had come home on a four-day leave to record his statement in court, said police. His brother Harsh said Vikrant joined the Army in 2019.
Saharanpur SSP Rohit Singh Sajwan said, "Vikrant had gone out on Wednesday evening with his nephew. He then told the latter to return home, saying he would follow soon. Vikrant was last seen with a few men."
Sajwan added: "When he did not return till late in the night and his phone was found switched off, the family searched for him but could not find him. On Thursday morning, Vikrant's body - with bullet injuries on his head and chest -- was found 300 m away from his house. A forensic team collected evidence from the spot. The people with whom Vikrant was last seen are being questioned."
Saharanpur SP (city) Vyom Bindal told TOI, "Based on a complaint filed by the victim's family, an FIR under BNS section 103 (murder) has been lodged against one Devendra (who goes by his first name only). Devendra is also the main accused in the murder of Vikrant's cousin. He will be arrested soon."
Family told police that in 2021, Vikrant's cousin, Rajat Gujjar, was stabbed to death by Devendra and his aides Kapil, Dinesh, Rocky and an unidentified man after some dispute.
Vikrant, who was returning from the fields, witnessed the crime and tried to save his cousin. An FIR was lodged in that case, and all accused were arrested.
They secured bail a few months ago and started threatening Vikrant, warning him of consequences if he testified against them. Vikrant is survived by his father, mother, a younger brother and two sisters.