A wave of shock and unrest swept through Saradhana in Meerut on Saturday night after a 21-year-old youth lost his life following a brutal stabbing during a Ganesh visarjan procession. The victim, identified as Bobby, was grievously attacked amid the celebrations, which were continuing with large DJ setups even after the officially permitted time had passed. What began as a festive atmosphere soon turned into chaos and fear as news of the assault spread among the crowd.
According to eyewitness accounts, Bobby was set upon by a group of men who arrived at the scene on a motorcycle. Armed with a sharp-edged weapon, the attackers inflicted deep injuries on him before making a swift escape, taking advantage of the crowd and the loud music that drowned out the commotion. Severely wounded, Bobby was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite the efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment, leaving his family and community devastated.
Investigations quickly revealed that the stabbing may have been the result of a personal rivalry rather than a spontaneous act of violence during the procession. Police sources confirmed that Bobby had an ongoing dispute with another youth from the same community, identified as Shekhar. Both were frequent gym-goers and had reportedly clashed earlier in the day, heightening suspicions that the attack was a continuation of this conflict. According to the complaint filed by Bobby’s family, Shekhar is alleged to have carried out the stabbing in the middle of the crowded procession route.
Authorities were quick to clarify that the incident was not directly connected to the religious procession itself. Meerut police stated that the Ganesh visarjan procession had already moved ahead when the attack occurred, making it clear that the event was merely the backdrop to an already brewing personal enmity. This explanation was aimed at preventing the situation from escalating into a broader law-and-order issue.
Meerut SP (Rural), Rakesh Kumar, addressed the media soon after the incident. He informed that a case had been formally registered at Saradhana police station based on the family’s complaint as well as video evidence collected from the scene. Two individuals were named in the FIR along with several unidentified suspects. Acting swiftly, the police arrested one of the named accused, along with another suspect, shortly after the attack. Meanwhile, two others are currently being questioned as part of the ongoing probe. Kumar assured that further investigation is underway and that all responsible parties will be brought to justice.
The shocking death of Bobby has left the local community tense and grieving. What was meant to be a night of celebration and devotion turned into a tragedy, sparking fears about personal rivalries spilling over into public spaces. The incident has once again highlighted the fragile nature of law and order in festive gatherings, where personal disputes can quickly escalate into violence under the cover of noise and crowds. For the people of Saradhana, the focus now lies on ensuring that justice is served for Bobby while also restoring peace and a sense of safety in the area.
