20-year-old killed for a mere Rs100

MUMBAI: Based on an eye-witness account, the RCF police in Chembur arrested six persons on Sunday for the alleged murder of a 20-year-old youth. John Fernandes, a resident of Hira Baug behind RK Studio, was pushed from a hilltop after he refused to return the Rs100 won in a card game involving the seven.

All six — Dilip Jadhav, Afzal Khan, Santosh More, Illyaz Khan, Vishal Shegavan (all in their 20s) and Vishnu Shinde, 31 — were remanded to police custody till January 1, by the Kurla metropolitan court.

On last Wednesday at about 7pm, John’s mother gave him Rs100 to buy paint for a fresh coat on the walls as Christmas was nearing. “But there was no trace of John. The day after, my cousin, who was on his way to college, was approached by the witness, who narrated the incident” said Mario, John’s elder brother.

“My brother had come home to celebrate Christmas with the family,” said Mario.

“The witness said the six did not let John leave even after he returned the money and continued to beat him. In the end, they pushed him from the hilltop and he fell in front of the witness’s house,” said Mario. Seeing a profusely bleeding John, the witness called the police at 1.30 am. But, John, who could be admitted to Sion Hospital only at 5 am, died.