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Kathua murder: 19-year-old arrested in love-rivalry case
A 19-year-old man, Parth Verma alias Sumit, is arrested in Kathua for the murder of Nakul Singh and injury to his brother Nikhil Singh on May 6, 2026, following a dispute over a girl. Police say the suspect confessed after investigation and a mobile phone missing from the scene led to breakthroughs, including recovery of the phone.
Why It Matters
The case highlights how personal disputes can escalate to lethal violence, and shows police use of technical surveillance in solving a homicide.
Timeline
3 Events
May 9, 2026: Police update on investigation—missing phone, confession, and phone recovery
May 9, 2026
During examination of the crime scene, the victim's mobile phone was found missing. Several suspects were detained for questioning and call detail records were analyzed. Parth Verma alias Sumit allegedly confessed to the crime during interrogation. The cell phone was recovered on Parth’s disclosure in the presence of a magistrate.
May 6, 2026: Police register case and commence investigation
May 6, 2026
Kathua police registered a case under sections 103 (murder), 109 (attempt to murder), 333 (house-trespass), and 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and started investigation.
May 6, 2026: Parth Verma allegedly attacks Nakul Singh over a love rivalry at Nakul's home
May 6, 2026
On May 6, 2026, Parth Verma alias Sumit, 19, visited Nakul Singh's house around 10:40 am. The two argued heatedly over a girl. Around 12:40 pm a scuffle escalated; Parth struck Nakul with a cricket bat, causing him to collapse. When Nikhil Singh returned from school, Parth allegedly used the same bat to strike him multiple times, injuring him seriously before fleeing. Their mother found Nakul dead and Nikhil critically injured around 5 pm; they were taken to hospital, where Nakul was declared dead and Nikhil remained on a ventilator at AIIMS Vijaypur.