The victim, Vikas, had been missing for the past fortnight from his hometown of Panipat. His family members, who had lodged a missing complaint with the police, have alleged that Vikas had been killed at the behest of the family of a girl whom he was in love with.

The girl’s family ostensibly did not approve of their affair. The police have launched a manhunt for the family members of the girl who are reported to be absconding.

The father of the victim who works in the irrigation department of Haryana said on condition of anonymity that the girl’s family had earlier also threatened them and had also got a “false case” of theft registered against his son.