Kannauj: A lawyer was shot dead on Diwali evening in Chhibramau town of Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj district, barely 150 metres from the local police station, after a clash in which a Congress leader has been named as the accused, The Indian Express reported on Monday.

Source: The Indian Express via MyPressToday

The deceased was identified as advocate Anuj Kumar Chaturvedi, the son of a retired police sub-inspector. The shooting took place at around 7 pm on Sunday in Koyalwali Gali, near the Chhibramau Kotwali. According to eyewitness accounts reported by Today News India, the accused Congress leader allegedly opened fire with his licensed pistol following a verbal altercation.

Source: Today News India

Reports said the dispute began between the accused, Congress district general secretary Amol Dixit, and the lawyer's cousin Basant. It is alleged that after Basant was slapped during the argument, Chaturvedi came with his brother to speak to Dixit, the altercation escalated, and the accused allegedly fired four rounds. Chaturvedi was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Source: Top Indian News

Old rivalry alleged; motive not officially confirmed

Initial reports have linked the killing to an alleged old political rivalry. The accused had contested the 2022 assembly election from Chhibramau, and reports allege he was assaulted on polling day that year and suspected the lawyer's role in it — a claim that remains an allegation. Chhibramau SHO Kapil Dubey stated that the shooting occurred during a verbal dispute and that a case would be registered, with further action to follow, once a formal written complaint was received.

Source: Today News India

The station in-charge and the area officer inspected the spot after the firing and police said an investigation had begun. Reports differed on the accused's whereabouts: initial reports said he had fled and that five police teams were searching for him, while a later report said he had surrendered before the police; neither version had been officially confirmed in the reports. Local reports described Chaturvedi as a relative of BJP MLA Archana Pandey and said she reached the hospital after the shooting.

Source: Top Indian News