Jaunpur shopkeeper's murder triggers highway blockade, FIR against seven

Varanasi: A shopkeeper at Siddiqpur market in neighbouring Jaunpur district was bludgeoned to death with bricks outside his store late on Saturday night over a possible land dispute. A named FIR has been lodged against seven persons.

The murder of Mithai Lal Yadav prompted local residents and shop owners to block Shahganj-Jaunpur highway for more than an hour from around 7am on Sunday, demanding arrest of the culprits and security for traders.

The agitation was withdrawn and police were allowed to take the body for postmortem examination after Jaunpur SP Ravi Shankar Chhavi promised that the killers would be arrested soon.

Sources said Yadav, a native of Sambhopur village in Jafrabad, was in his late forties and had been running a sweet shop at Siddiqpur market in Saraikhawaja for several years. He slept outside his shop every night. It is suspected that the assailants targeted him around Saturday midnight. The police dog squad and forensic experts are working on the case.

“The bereaved family has named seven persons with whom the deceased had a land dispute. There was also an altercation six months ago. Based on the complaint, an FIR has been lodged against the accused,” said Sadar circle officer Nripendra Kumar.