Wrestler guns for brother-in-law

The victim, a fellow grappler, married the accused's cousin sister against his wishes

They had had many bouts on the mat, but off it Bhupender, 31 and Satyawan, 30 were best of friends. That is until Bhupender met Satyawan's cousin Rajrani at a wedding four years ago. They fell in love and decided to get married. But Satyawan was dead against it.u00a0u00a0


In happier times: Bhupender and Rajrani with their child. Pic/Mid Day

"I told my family about Bhupender and convinced them about our marriage. Satyawan threatened me of dire consequences. But I stood by my love and ignored his warning. Then my father called Bhupender and told him to take me with him as soon as possible or Satyawan would kill me," said Rajrani.

Biting the bullet
Bhupender took the advice of Rajrani's father seriously and the couple decided to get married. On the 9th of October, 2006 Bhupender and Rajrani were going to court. But as they reached near Punjabi Bagh, Satyawan appeared. He and his cousins fired several rounds on Bhupender's car.

"My driver died on the spot. I received six bullets and my wife was hit by three. Fortunately we were taken to the hospital in time and were saved. Meanwhile, police announced a reward of 25000 rupees on Satyawan. Finally he and eleven other accused were arrested. Soon after recovering form the bullet wounds, we got married on August 20, 2007. In 2008 we had a boy," said Bhupender.

But the couple's travails were not over. Satyawan got parole in February 2009 and threatened Bhupender and Rajrani to kill them if they don't change their statements in the court.

Living in fear
"As he got out on bail he threatened us to take back the case. Meanwhile we got security from police. But Satyawan shot my elder brother Sudheer on the 8th of June 2009 and escaped. Then again when we were on the way to our home after court proceedings in my brother's murder case, he attacked our car. But my security officer counter-fired and he fled again," Bhupender added. Bhupender and Rajrani are living in continuous threat as one of the accused got parole in April 2010 and now four out of the eleven accused are absconding and they are hunting for Bhupender. Cops say they have provided security to the couple and are searching for the accused.

"A lady and a male Personal Security Officer (PSO) have been provided to the victims in Rohini sector 16 and another PSO has also been provided to the father of the victim in Dariyapur Kalan Village near Bawana. We are searching for the accused and we will arrest him soon," confirmed a police officer.