18-Year-Old Boy Killed Over Wedding Song Dispute, Three Arrested from Groom's Family

Agencies, Durgapur, 9 March 2025: A wedding celebration in Durgapur turned tragic late Saturday night after a violent clash erupted between two groups over the playing of a song, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old boy. The victim, identified as Artist Bed, was allegedly stabbed to death during a confrontation between relatives and friends of the bride and groom at the wedding venue.

The incident took place at Vambay Colony, under the New Township Police Station limits, where the bride’s family had arranged the wedding. The dispute began when a section of the groom’s family, allegedly intoxicated, insisted on changing a song being played at the wedding. This led to a heated argument with the bride’s relatives, who refused to comply with the demand. The situation quickly escalated into a violent clash, with both sides using bamboo sticks and bricks.

During the altercation, Artist Bed was reportedly stabbed multiple times in the chest by one of the groom’s relatives, causing him to collapse. His uncle, Abinash Bed, stated that the youth from the groom's side repeatedly stabbed Artist with a knife. In the midst of the chaos, the bride's father, Jadukar Bed, intervened, but despite his efforts, the situation spiraled out of control. The wedding ceremony was immediately called off, and the bride’s father canceled the marriage in the wake of the violence.

Artist was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Doctors confirmed that he had sustained deep stab wounds on the right side of his chest.

Following the tragic incident, the bride's relatives detained the groom, his father, and other relatives at the venue and contacted the police. Based on the complaint filed by the bride’s father, the police arrested three men from the groom’s family—Akshay Pasi (48) and Biki Paswan (30), both from Barakar, and another individual from Jamtara. The trio were charged with murder and possession of illegal firearms. The police are investigating further to confirm whether firearms were involved in the altercation, although they have denied any incident of firing during the clash.

On Sunday, the arrested suspects were produced before a judicial magistrate court in Durgapur, where they were remanded to six days in police custody. The victim's body was sent for post-mortem at the Asansol district hospital, and the authorities are awaiting the autopsy report to confirm the cause of death.

The wedding, which had been filled with joy earlier, descended into chaos and violence, leaving the bride’s family shattered. The bride’s father, devastated by the loss of his daughter’s marriage and the brutal killing of a family member, expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

The groom’s family returned to Barakar on Sunday, but the groom’s father declined to speak to the media. Authorities have initiated a murder investigation and are working to determine the full details of the incident.

This shocking turn of events has raised concerns over the escalating violence that can result from trivial disputes, and the police are determined to ensure that justice is served in this tragic case.