2 min readLucknow, New DelhiUpdated: Apr 27, 2026 11:02 AM IST
Two birthday parties, about 80 km apart, have ended in four murders as minor arguments snowballed into rage crimes. In Delhi, a police constable opened fire at a 21-year-old delivery executive, and a gym trainer and his associates in Bulandshahr allegedly shot dead three men during an argument sparked by the smearing of cake on his face.
Delhi Cop Turns Killer
Pandav Kumar, who worked as a delivery executive for a food aggregator, visited his friend Rupesh Kumar’s home on Friday to celebrate the birthday of his two-year-old son. When Pandav and Rupesh were on their way out to make some late-night deliveries, Neeraj Balhara, a head constable with Delhi Police, started asking them questions. Neeraj, police sources have said, was not on duty at the time. Rupesh has told police that as soon as they told Neeraj that they were from Bihar, he became enraged, and an altercation followed. Soon after, Neeraj pulled out a firearm and allegedly shot Pandav. The bullet penetrated Pandav’s body and then hit his friend, Krishan, who was sitting pillion on a motorbike. While Pandav died, his friend is under treatment. Neeraj, the cop-turned-killer, has been arrested within hours.
Cake Smeared On Face, Then Shots
Another birthday party in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr turned tragic when Jeetu, a gym trainer, and his associates lost their cool during an altercation. According to the police, a cake was cut at Jeetu’s gym to mark his birthday, and some of those present smeared it onto his face. This sparked an altercation and Jeetu and his associates opened fire, killing Amar (26), Manish (23), and Akash (22). Bulandhshahr police chief Antriksh Jain said three persons, Naresh, Rupesh, and Mayank, have been arrested. Police suggested that a rivalry over dominance in the area may have led to the escalation.
