Shimla, June 13 (UNI) A Chandigarh youth was found murdered on Friday morning in a hotel room near the Dhali Tunnel in Shimla. Police suspect the victim was killed by his own cousin who later fled the scene.

The incident took place in room No. 302 of Hotel Navratan, where Akash Sharma, son of late Ajay Sharma and resident of Sector 26, Chandigarh, had been staying since June 11 along with his cousin Arjun, a resident of Sector 10, Panchkula.

According to police, the two cousins had a fight late on the night of June 12. During the fight, Arjun reportedly hit Akash on the head with a glass bottle and then used a piece of broken glass to slit his throat. Akash died on the spot.

Around 5:17 am on June 13, Arjun left the hotel on his motorcycle. When hotel staff entered the room and found Akash lying in a pool of blood, they immediately informed the police. A team from Dhali police station arrived at the spot and started an investigation.

“We have found important evidence from the room and are checking CCTV footage,” a police officer said. “Efforts are being made to arrest the accused, who is currently missing.”

Akash’s body has been sent to IGMC Shimla for postmortem. A case of murder under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered.

The murder has shocked the hotel staff and nearby residents. Police are also in contact with the families of both the victim and the accused.

Further investigation is ongoing.

UNI ML PRS