The murder has sparked political protests, with Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad demanding action against the accused and police personnel, while SP chief Akhilesh Yadav sought a high-level impartial probe into the case.
A 45-year-old trader died after he was attacked by a group of men in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda over a dispute linked to social media posts, officials said. Police have arrested two accused in connection with the case, while teams have been deployed to trace the others.
The killing has triggered a political row, with leaders of the BJP’s ally Nishad Party and the opposition Samajwadi Party joining a protest over the trader’s death. While both parties sought action against the accused, the Samajwadi Party also demanded a high-level impartial probe.
According to police, Vinod Kumar Sahani, was running a utensils shop at the local market. On Wednesday evening, after closing his shop, Sahani was returning home on his bike when 10 men travelling on four motorcycles allegedly intercepted him and attacked him.
Additional Superintendent of Police (West) Radheshyam Rai said the attackers assaulted Sahani with various weapons, including a spear and left him seriously injured on the road. The assailants fled believing that he was dead, police said.
Sahani was initially taken to a community health centre before being referred to the medical college in Gonda. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to Lucknow, where he died during treatment on Thursday.
Police said Sahani had identified three of his attackers. A case was registered on the basis of his complaint against 10 named accused, including Shubham Singh alias Golu, Subhash Singh and Akash Singh, under provisions related to attempt to murder. Following his death, a murder charge was added to the FIR, Rai said.
“A preliminary investigation has revealed a dispute between the victim and the accused over posts made on social media,” the officer said.
Police have arrested Shubham Singh alias Golu and Subhash Singh, while teams have been deployed to arrest the remaining accused.
The killing led to a protest at the mortuary of King George’s Medical University in Lucknow, where Uttar Pradesh minister and Nishad Party president Sanjay Nishad staged a sit-in along with SP backward classes cell state president Rajpal Kashyap.
Nishad, who reached the mortuary after learning about Sahani’s death, met his family and assured them of all possible help. He demanded the dismissal of the Paraspur Station House Officer, the Shahpur outpost in-charge and other police personnel concerned.
“If action is not taken, we will stage a protest outside the superintendent of police’s residence and office in Gonda on September 11,” Nishad told reporters. He also demanded the immediate arrest of all the accused and strict action against them.