Muslim man murder: victim remains unidentified, case closure sought

Investigating officer (IO) of the case, sub-inspector Raja Ram, said it appears that the youth did not belong to Muzaffarnagar or adjoining districts and could be a labourer. It was likely that assailants attacked him while he was passing through Dhawalda village and after slitting his throat, dragged his body to an open field, he said.

The IO also said all possible steps were taken to identify the victim. The investigators verified reports of missing persons in neighbouring districts and also published his photograph in newspapers. Pamphlets carrying his photo and other details were also distributed in trains and pasted on walls at railway stations and relief camps set up for Muslim victims of the riots, said the IO.

Police had also sought help from the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) to confirm if the victim belonged to another state. A detailed report on the youth including his belongings recovered on the body was sent to the NCRB through the State Crime Record Bureau.  However, they failed to get any clue about his identity, Ram said.