Pune: 17-Year-Old Allegedly Killed By Minor Friends over Social Media Status
Pune, 20th August 2026: A 17-year-old boy was allegedly beaten to death with a hammer by two of his minor friends at Vetal Tekdi, also known as ARAI Hill, in Pune in the early hours of Wednesday. The Kothrud police have detained both the accused, also aged 17.
Police suspect the murder was triggered by the victim repeatedly posting social media statuses supporting the accused’s rivals.
According to police, the victim and both accused were residents of Kothrud and had been friends for several months. The victim was a Class XII student. One of the accused is also studying in Class XII, while the other is not employed.
Police said one of the accused had a dispute with a group of rivals a few days ago. The matter was discussed among the three friends. However, the victim allegedly continued to post social media statuses in support of the accused’s rivals despite being repeatedly warned against doing so. This reportedly angered the two accused.
Police said the two minors then allegedly decided to kill their friend. They reportedly persuaded him to accompany them on a trip to Rajgad on Tuesday. After returning to Pune late at night, they allegedly took him to an isolated part of Vetal Tekdi.
Around midnight, the two allegedly attacked the victim on the head with a hammer. He suffered severe injuries and collapsed at the spot. The accused then allegedly fled.
On Wednesday morning, citizens who had gone to the hill for a walk spotted the victim lying in a pool of blood and alerted the police. Kothrud police reached the spot and launched an investigation.
Based on confidential information and technical analysis, police detained the two minor suspects. A case has been registered at Kothrud police station following a complaint by the victim’s family, and further investigation is underway.
