Protests erupt after lawyer shot dead
ALLAHABAD:Two THE ASSAILANTS MANAGED TO FLEE THE SPOT UNCHALLENGED AFTER SHOOTING THE LAWYER IN THE HEAD FROM CLOSE RANGE
unidentified bikeborne assailants shot dead a district court lawyer in Allahabad on Thursday morning, sending shockwaves through the city as lawyers staged protests demanding the arrest of the culprits.
The lawyer, Rajesh Srivastava, was shot near the busy Manmohan Park crossing in heart of the city under Colonelganj police station area, a little after he left home at Rambah locality around 10 am, police said. He was rushed to the SRN Hospital but doctors declared him dead on arrival, they said.
The assailants managed to flee the spot unchallenged after shooting the lawyer in the head from close range.
Police have launched a hunt for the culprits, Allahabad SSP, Akash Kulhary said.
Circle officer, Colonelganj, Alok Mishra said primary investigations revealed that the lawyer had a dispute with a hotel owner in Rambagh over encroachment on a drain.
Additional director general (ADG), Allahabad zone, SN Sabat said an FIR had been lodged against hotel owner Pradeep Jaiswal, a nagar nigam employee Kamal and two unidentified persons.
“In the complaint, Rajesh’s brother Brajesh has alleged that Pradeep had illegally encroached upon a drain with the help of Kamal. They used to threaten Rajesh with dire consequences as he was opposing the encroachment,” Sabat said, adding that the duo had been detained for questioning.
Lawyers from the district court, which is hardly a kilometre from the shooting spot, assembled in large numbers and staged a demonstration and blocked MG Marg near the MLN Medical College crossing in protest against the incident, with the body of the lawyer.
They also went on a rampage and set fire to a city bus near the district magistrate’s office.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced a solatium of ₹20 lakh to the family of Rajesh. and directed chief secretary Rajive Kumar and director general of police OP Singh to conduct a probe into the incident and submit a report within 24 hours.