Uncle, nephew hacked to death by neighbours over land survey dispute in Gujarat

A young man and his uncle were hacked to death in Gujarat's Morbi district, allegedly over a dispute related to land measurement, police said. The two accused involved in the double murder were arrested within hours of the incident.

According to the police complaint, the family of the victims -- Jaipal Singh and his nephew Harshvardhan Singh -- cultivates around 30 bighas of land (nearly 19 acres) registered in Jaipal's sister's name.

On June 9, Jaipal, Harshvardhan and his father Digvijay Singh had gone to the field to carry out a land survey and mark the boundaries. Neighbouring landholders Mahavir Singh Jhala and Tejpal Singh Jhala were also called to the site during the measurement process.

Tensions reportedly flared after the survey was completed and boundary pegs were being installed for fencing, police said.

Investigators said Mahavir and Tejpal objected to the demarcation and allegedly entered the field armed with sharp-edged weapons before attacking Jaipal Singh and Harshvardhan Singh.

The two sustained grievous injuries in the assault and were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival.

Gujarat Police launched an immediate manhunt and arrested the two accused within hours of the incident. Officials said the arrests were made using technical surveillance and human intelligence inputs after the accused fled the scene on a bike.

Police have initiated the process of seizing the bike used in the escape, as well as the sharp-edged weapons allegedly used in the crime.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the dispute stemmed from a verbal land agreement between the two parties about a decade ago. Police said disagreements resurfaced when the land was recently surveyed, leading to an argument that allegedly escalated into the fatal attack.

The accused are being produced before a court, and police are seeking their remand for further investigation, officials added.

A case of murder has been registered, and further investigation is underway.

- Ends