According to police, the incident unfolded after Shubham intervened to stop a man identified as Chunni, a resident of Karaiya Kheda Road, and his associates from harassing a young woman. Angered by the intervention, the accused allegedly returned hours later to exact revenge.

Investigators said that on Saturday night, Chunni and his associates arrived at Indraprastha Colony on a motorcycle and called Shubham out of his residence. As he stepped outside, the group assaulted him. CCTV footage shows the assailants first beating Shubham before repeatedly stabbing him with knives. After the attack, they fled the scene.

Several residents were present during the assault but did not intervene, police said, adding that the footage shows bystanders watching silently as the attack unfolded. Shubham was left critically injured on the road and was rushed to a hospital by local residents. He died during treatment.

Shubham worked as an air-conditioner repairman and was known in the neighbourhood as a quiet and helpful young man, locals told police. His death has triggered anger and shock among residents, who questioned both the brazenness of the attackers and the inaction of onlookers during the assault.

Additional Superintendent of Police Prashant Choubey reached the spot soon after the incident and supervised the initial investigation. Police teams examined the crime scene, collected CCTV footage from multiple cameras in the area, and recorded statements of witnesses.

“A murder case has been registered against the prime accused Chunni and his associates,” a senior police officer said. “The accused have been identified through CCTV footage, and teams have been formed to trace and arrest them.”

Police said the motive appears to be retaliation for Shubham’s attempt to stop the alleged molestation. Investigators are also examining whether the accused had a prior criminal record and are verifying the sequence of events leading up to the attack.

The incident has renewed concerns over street safety and the reluctance of bystanders to intervene during violent crimes. Police officials said further arrests are expected soon as the search for the accused continues.