Photographer killed over viral Instagram photo in UP's Ballia; 2 arrested
Ballia (UP) (PTI): A 24-year-old photographer was stabbed to death here after he allegedly made a married woman's photos viral on Instagram, angering her family and in-laws, police said. The woman's brother and cousin have been arrested in the matter.
According to them, the two accused lured Chandan Bind to an agriculture plot on the night of March 18, stabbed him multiple times and dumped his body in a wheat field.
The body was discovered five days later on March 23 and the arrests were made on Monday. A senior police official said that Bhind's body has been sent for post-mortem.
Circle Officer Mohammad Faheem said, "Chandan was in contact with the main accused Surendra Yadav's sister even after her marriage. He continued calling her at her in-laws' place and even tried to meet her there, which she refused."
"Upset over this, he allegedly made her photos viral on Instagram, causing tensions in her in-laws' family. After the woman complained to her family, Surendra decided to take revenge," the police official said.
The circle officer further stated that on Holi, Surendra pretended to befriend Chandan and later used someone else's phone to lure him to an isolated field on the night of March 18.
There, Surendra and his cousin Rohit Yadav ambushed him and stabbed him to death before dumping his body in a wheat field.
A case under BNS sections 103(1) (murder) and 238 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) against Surendra, Shri Bhagwan, Bali Yadav, Deepak Yadav (all from Chandan's village), and the woman's cousin Rohit Yadav from Saran district in Bihar.
Chandan's father, Shyam Bihari Prasad, stated in his complaint that the accused took his son from home, killed him, and disposed of the body.
Police arrested Surendra and Rohit on Monday. "Both confessed to the crime and we have recovered three knives used in the murder," Faheem said.
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Gold, silver soar as US-Iran deal hopes lift bullion demand
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices rebounded by Rs 2,900 to Rs 1.55 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, while silver climbed to Rs 2.54 lakh per kilogram as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a pullback in oil rates, boosting demand for precious metals.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity jumped by Rs 2,900, or nearly 2 per cent, to Rs 1,55,400 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 1,52,500 per 10 grams.
Traders attributed the surge in bullion prices to reports that Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a framework agreement to end months of conflict, raising the prospects of smoother flows through the Strait of Hormuz and easing inflation concerns tied to energy markets.
"Gold rallied strongly on Wednesday as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a sharp reversal in key macro drivers that had recently pressured precious metals," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
Silver prices also advanced for the third straight session by rising Rs 3,500, or 1.4 per cent, to Rs 2,54,500 per kg (inclusive of all taxes). The metal had settled at Rs 2,51,000 per kg in the previous session, as per the Association.
"The prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough triggered a steep decline in oil prices and the US dollar, easing concerns about inflation while boosting demand for precious metals," Gandhi said.
Globally, spot gold increased by USD 106.15, or 2.33 per cent, to USD 4,663.70 per ounce while silver gained USD 3.40, or 4.68 per cent, to USD 76.24 per ounce.
"Gold witnessed a sharp rally as markets reacted positively to reports that the US and Iran are moving closer to a one-page agreement framework aimed at ending the conflict," Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.
Despite strong international gains, rupee strength limited the upside in domestic gold prices. The market is now highly focused on final confirmation and execution of the proposed deal, he added.
Any negative surprise or breakdown in negotiations could trigger a sharp sell-off in gold, while a successful agreement and sustained ceasefire could push the bullion prices higher in the near-term, Trivedi said.
