RAJKOT: A long-standing family dispute over a 76-year-old man’s desire to remarry ended in tragedy when he shot and killed his only son, 52, for opposing the marriage.
The accused, Ram Boricha, fired two close-range shots at his son, Pratap, at their home in Jasdan town, Rajkot district, on Sunday. After the shooting, he calmly sat beside his son’s lifeless body until the police arrived and took him into custody.
Family Conflict Turns Deadly
According to police, Boricha had been a widower for 20 years and was determined to remarry, a decision that led to frequent clashes within the family. His son, Pratap, along with other relatives, strongly opposed the idea, fearing it would damage their family’s reputation.
“In her complaint, Pratap’s wife, Jaya, stated that Boricha had repeatedly threatened to kill them for resisting his remarriage,” said Tapan Jani, the investigating officer from Jasdan police station.
Terrifying Moments Before the Murder
Jaya recounted that on Sunday, she and her husband were at home when their son, Jaideep, stepped out to buy milk. She had gone to serve tea to her father-in-law in his adjacent quarters when she suddenly heard gunshots and her husband’s screams.
She rushed towards the hall but found the door locked. A second gunshot rang out, and as she knocked frantically, Boricha opened the door and chased her with a pistol. She managed to escape and locked the connecting door between their homes.
Minutes later, Jaideep returned, and she informed him about the shooting. He ran to his grandfather’s house, only to find his father lying in a pool of blood in the courtyard, while Boricha sat beside him at a table, seemingly unbothered.
Pratap was rushed to a government hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
No Remorse for the Crime
Police seized the firearm used in the murder and are investigating whether it was licensed. According to officers, Boricha—who previously worked for the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC)—expressed no remorse for his actions.
“He harassed me a lot,” he reportedly said in a video recorded at the police station.
Pratap, who was engaged in farming, had frequently argued with his father over the remarriage issue. Police confirmed that Boricha had often brandished a weapon, warning that he could fire at any moment.
The investigation is ongoing.
