Greater Noida double murder: Two labourers killed at Sitaram Institute hostel site
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Two labourers were found murdered inside an under-construction hostel at the Sitaram Institute in Greater Noida's Knowledge Park area on Friday, 8 May, triggering panic among workers and residents in the vicinity, police said. The bodies were discovered in a blood-soaked condition inside a locked room on the hostel premises, with preliminary investigation suggesting a sharp-edged weapon was used in the killings.
How the Crime Came to Light
According to police, three labourers had arrived at the site a few days earlier for gardening-related work and had been staying together in a room within the under-construction hostel for the past two days. On Friday morning, fellow workers and staff members grew suspicious after the room remained locked with no response from inside. Upon forcing entry, they discovered the two men lying dead in pools of blood and immediately alerted the authorities.
A team from the Knowledge Park Police Station reached the spot shortly after and cordoned off the area. Forensic experts were called in to collect evidence, and blood stains along with signs of a struggle were reportedly found inside the room.
Third Labourer Missing, Search Operation Launched
The third labourer who had been sharing the room with the two deceased has been missing since the incident came to light. Police teams have launched a search operation to trace him and ascertain his role, if any, in the case. His whereabouts remain unknown at the time of reporting.
Officials said the incident prima facie appears to be linked to a personal dispute or an old rivalry, though no conclusion has been reached and all possible angles are being investigated.
Investigation Under Way
Senior police officials rushed to the scene following the discovery. Two special investigation teams (SITs) have been constituted to crack the double murder case at the earliest, police said. CCTV footage from the hostel premises and surrounding areas is being thoroughly examined to identify the accused and reconstruct the sequence of events.
The bodies of the two workers have been sent for post-mortem examination. Police added that efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible at the earliest.
Fear Grips Construction Site and Neighbourhood
The gruesome killings have created an atmosphere of fear among labourers working at the construction site as well as nearby residents, with many workers reportedly reluctant to return to the premises. This comes amid broader concerns over the safety of migrant and contractual labourers at large construction sites in the National Capital Region (NCR).
As the investigation deepens, the focus will remain on tracing the missing third labourer and analysing forensic and CCTV evidence to establish the chain of events that led to the killings.