The family of 17-year-old Surya Chauhan, who was killed by his Muslim friends on Bakrid, has refused to perform his last rites even as his body reached their residence in Navneet Vihar Colony after the postmortem, intensifying protests in the Khoda area. The slain Class 11 student’s mother, Sunita, and other relatives have demanded swift and strict justice, alleging that the murder on Bakrid day was not a mere fight but an attempt to make the Hindu teenager a “human sacrifice” for Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice).
Surya’s grieving mother Sumita said, “My son was sacrificed on Bakrid. Now I want the body of the accused, Asad, in front of me.” The family has said that will perform last rites of the boy only after Asad is killed in police encounter. Hindu groups including Bajrang Dal has also echoed the demand. The Bajrang Dal said that if Asad is not encountered and his house is not bulldozed within an hour, they will launch a major protest.
The protestors have been ordered a deep freezer to store the body till the accused is killed by police. The police officers are trying to convince the family to perform the last rites as the postmortem has been conducted, but the family has not relented so far.
Surya lived with his family in Navneet Vihar Colony in Khoda. His brother, Yash, said that Asad had invited Surya home for Bakrid, and Surya’s friends Ayush and Vicky also went with him. Vicky said that Arshad asked Surya whether he had ever seen a goat being slaughtered, and when he said no, he said, ‘let me show you how it is done.’ But when Surya refused to go and witness the slaughter, Arshad started to abuse him with halal taunts. When Surya responded, it led to an argument, and the Muslim youths stabbed in him in the stomach.
The teenager heroically ran nearly 200 metres with the knife still embedded before collapsing and being attacked again. He was rushed to the hospital by his friends, but he succumbed to the injuries on May 29.
The family said that Surya’s brother Yash is also in danger now, as they fear that he too might be attacked.
Ghaziabad’s Khoda police have initiated action against accused Asad, Nawab, Farhan, Atif, and Sariq, along with others. The Police have arrested three of the five accused named in the FIR lodged by the family. The arrested include Farhan, the father of the prime suspect Asad, along with Asif and Nawab, while police teams are conducting raids to nab the remaining absconding accused, including main culprit Asad. Along with Asad, the rest of the family remains absconding. Two other suspects have also been detained for questioning.
The case, initially registered under attempt to murder, has now been converted to one of murder after the victim died in hospital. Heavy police forces have been deployed in the sensitive Khoda locality to maintain law and order amid rising tensions.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Abhishek Srivastava has confirmed that multiple teams were formed immediately and the investigation is being prioritised, even as authorities have appealed to people not to spread rumours on social media. Hindu organisations, including the VHP and Bajrang Dal, have joined the protests, demanding strong action against what they term fanatic elements.
BSP chief Mayawati has termed the incident “extremely tragic and alarming” and urged the government to take effective steps to curb rising crimes, especially ahead of elections. As the body lies at the family home and locals continue to gather in support, the police are under pressure to ensure all involved are brought to justice promptly. The situation remains tense but under control with additional forces in place, while the family continues to press for complete satisfaction before bidding farewell to Surya.
