AHMEDABAD: A man was killed in Vatva just because he could not tell the time to a passerby. Police, however, believe that there is more to the story and the reason for murder could be rooted in personal enmity .

The incident took place at 8 pm on Saturday. Victim Kanti Patel, 40, and his cousin Ashok Patel were at a road-side snack stall when a stranger approached them. Kanti and his cousin, said Vatva police officials, hail from Dahod.

"The duo had been working at various construction sites in the city," said a Vatva police official. The stranger asked Kanti what time it was. Kanti replied that he does not wear a watch. Then Kanti and his cousin started walking away as they had finished eating.

Suddenly, the man, who had asked the time, took out a large knife and struck a blow on Kanti's head. When Kanti reeled, Ashok tried to intervene. The assailant slapped and punched Ashok but did not stab him. As Ashok too fell, the assailant stabbed Kanti a second time, in his back and fled from the spot.

By the time 108 paramedics reached the spot, Kanti had already died. "We think that there is more to this story given by Ashok.

Just being unable to tell the time cannot be a reason for such a violent attack. Either Ashok is hiding something or he does not know much about Kanti's life. This attack was driven by passion,. The hand-cart owner says he never saw the assault" a Vatva police official said.

