Mirzapur: A 45-year-old lawyer was shot dead in broad daylight in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur on Saturday, with the attackers briefly struggling to escape after their motorcycle failed to start, police said.
The incident triggered panic in the area, affecting both residents and the assailants, who were seen repeatedly attempting to start their bike in desperation before eventually managing to flee.
According to police, the victim, senior advocate Rajiv Singh, was on a morning walk when two men on a motorcycle approached him. CCTV footage shows one of the attackers getting off the bike and opening fire with a crude pistol, killing Singh on the spot.
After the shooting, the assailant rushed back to the motorcycle, where his accomplice tried multiple times to start it by kicking the pedal but initially failed. During the delay, a few locals cautiously approached but quickly retreated when the armed attacker pointed the weapon at them.
After several attempts, the motorcycle started, enabling the attackers to escape. The incident soon drew a large crowd, with hundreds gathering at the scene.
Police said Singh had earlier submitted an application expressing fears of a possible attack on his life. The former village head, who was also practising as a lawyer, had reportedly been targeted in two previous attacks.
Superintendent of Police Aparna Rajat Kaushik said the Kotwali police station received information early in the morning about Rajiv Singh, also known as Rinku Singh, sustaining a gunshot wound. He died while being taken to the hospital.
She said police teams rushed to the spot immediately, collected physical evidence, and began efforts to identify those responsible. “Our team has obtained highly credible leads and is actively pursuing the investigation,” she added.
Based on a written complaint filed by the victim’s family, a case is being registered against the accused under relevant sections of law.
Kaushik further said the accused has been identified through the complaint and technical surveillance, and is believed to be from the same village as the victim. Preliminary indications suggest the crime may have stemmed from a local dispute, though all angles are being examined.
Officials said efforts are ongoing to gather further evidence, and a dedicated police team has been formed to track down and arrest the accused.
With IANS inputs