GreNo: Residents alarmed over law and order situation after Chandel's murder

Greater Noida: The residents living in Gautam Budh Nagar are alarmed after a series of events which unfolded recently. Firstly, a controversy erupted over a viral video featuring then Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Krishna and an unknown woman. Then, a mysterious murder of a Gaur City resident Gaurav Chandel sparked fear among of thousands of people living in the vicinity.

Seeing the present deteriorating law and order situation, the residents launched a candle march demanding justice for Chandel and his family on Thursday night. 

Gaurav Chandel, a resident of Gaur City’s 5th Avenue in Greater Noida West was recovered lying dead along the service road near NCR stadium on Tuesday morning by a group of residents of the society and his wife. However, any final outcome is yet to come so far as the Gautam Budh Nagar district police’s investigation is underway. Initial reports suggested that he was brutally killed.

The incident witnessed anger of the residents against the inaction of local area police, as they (residents) blamed that the district police seems to be busy with its own story of controversial video. This alleged controversy resulted in suspension of SSP Vaibhav Krishna.

The Indian Express reported, “Chief Minister has suspended IPS Vaibhav Krishna soon after the forensic report of a viral video of his chat with a woman came from a Gujarat lab. In the report, the video and chat, which was claimed to be fake by Krishna, have been found to be genuine. The forensic report has confirmed that no sign of edit, alteration, medication, morphing was observed in the video.”

It further read, “Vaibhav Krishna has been suspended for violation of rules. Order for departmental action has also been issued. Lucknow ADG (Zone) SN Sabat will be submitting a report in this regard.”

Residents stand in solidarity with victim's family

People living in neighbouring flats and the societies stood in support of the beleaguered family of the deceased. Chandel’s wife Preeti Chandel’s message to help her find missing husband brought the residents of the society on their toes and they accompanied her to local police station. Helpless residents finally found Chandel dead.

Preet Bhargava, a resident of Gaur City who is among those who recovered Chandel’s body, said, “It was a horrific situation for all of us when we were helplessly running one location to the other. Good to see that, residents came out in support. Honestly, at one point of time, we lost hope and decided to wait for the police’s action later in the day. We found him finally but not alive.”

With the voice of neighboures getting stronger, local politicians visited to aggrieved family. Gautam Budh Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma, residents under the umbrella of Noida Extension Flat Owners Welfare Association (NEFOWA) demanded free education for Chandel’s son.

Chandel’s son Aditya Chandel studies in class 6 in Gaur International School in Greater Noida, run by Gaur group. NEFOWA, President Abhishek Kumar said, “We will stand in support of victim’s family. MP Mahesh Sharma has assured to the family that he will look into Chandel’s son’s school fee issue.”

CitySpidey spoke to Manoj Gaur (CMD, Gaur Group) for clarity over fee issue. Gaur condemned the incident saying the victim’s family is going with tough phase. Clearing on fee issue, he said, “I came to know that Mahesh Sharma has sought some support in the issue. The school management will be apprised with the message and a final decision will come from the school management. Victim’s family is busy with some rituals. School management will take final decision.”

Gaur City, which is largest residential society in Greater Noida West, accommodates around 10,000 families apart from people living in several other highrises. 

Pradeep Kamboj, another neighbour said, “Nothing has come out so far in the case. IG (Meerut) Alok Singh has also visited the family and assured fast investigation.”