Tribune News Service

Amritsar November 10

A verbal duel between shopkeeper and customer over a wet matchbox turned ugly when the former, along with his kin, killed the youth with a sword here on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Bhai Manj Road. The accused shopkeeper has been identified as Sarbjit Singh, alias Shabba.

Lovejit Singh, brother of the deceased, in his complaint to the police stated that Gurpreet had gone to Shabba’s shop in the neighboring street to buy a matchbox. After buying a matchbox he returned home, he added. When the victim opened matchbox packet he found that it was wet, he said. Gurpreet went back to the shop to change the matchbox, he said. But, shopkeeper Shabba started arguing and reportedly abused Gurpreet, he added. In a fit of rage, Gurpreet also abused Shabba, he said. The complainant claimed that Gurpreet returned home after the verbal spat.

After some time Shabba, along with his family and four unknown youths, armed with sharp weapons, came to Gurpreet’s home. They threatened to kill Gurpreet. Somehow, Gurpreet’s family members managed to send them back.

When Gurpreet came home, he got information that Shabba had visited his home and threatened to kill him. The complainant claimed that when Gurpreet went to Shabba’s house to ask him why they did not end the issue the accused and his family members killed him with sharp weapons.

The police have registered a case against Sarbjit Singh, alias Shabba, and four unidentified persons. Sources in the Police Department claimed that Gurpreet was also facing several criminal cases. He had some old rivalry with the accused, the sources added. However, the police are also investigating the wet matchbox issue.