Real estate bizman shot dead in Kashi; one arrested

VARANASI: A real estate businessman was allegedly shot dead after an argument with his business partner over the businessrelated issue in Pahadia area under Sarnath police area of Varanasi late on Sunday night, police said.

The police further said the slain man’s business partner Pankaj Chaubey, who is suspected to have killed him, was arrested on Monday.

They added that the incident occurred when the businessman identified as Balwant Singh, 45, went to attend a dinner party at the house of his partner Ramgopal Singh.

A senior police officer said Singh, son of a retired DIG Sabhajit Singh, was a partner in the Real Estate Company Sai Baba Infratech Ltd here. He lived in Tarna area of the city. He travelled in his bulletproof SUV to the house of his business partner Ramgopal Singh in Ashok Vihar Phase-II. Four other partners of the company were also present in the dinner party.

The police officer said Singh and one of his business partners Pankaj Chaubey allegedly exchanged heated arguments over a business-related issue. Other business partners present there placated Singh and Chaubey.

The police officer said Ramgopal told the police that Pankaj Chaubey went out after finishing his dinner. Soon, Balwant Singh also went out. A little later, Ramgopal heard a gunshot following which he ran outside and found Singh lying on the ground and in a pool of blood. Ramgopal rushed Singh to a private hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

The senior police officer said that CCTV footage had been taken into possession and was being scanned.

Four police teams, including a team of crime branch, were later deployed to ensure arrest of Chaubey.

“A case has been registered against Chaubey under sections 302 of IPC following a complaint by Balwant Singh’s son Anurag in this connection,” the officer said.