A 22-year-old man has been killed in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, allegedly after a 19-year-old assailant retaliated over an Instagram photograph posted with a woman from a different religious community. The incident has led to the arrest of the alleged assailant and the detention of his associates.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the deceased, identified as Gautam Maurya, a bicycle mechanic residing in Kamal-Lenpur village under the Kant police station limits, was returning from his fields around 10 pm on Friday when he was attacked. According to the First Information Report (FIR) cited by the Superintendent of Police (SP) Saurabh Dixit, Sameer Ali, aged 19, along with accomplices, ambushed Maurya.
The SP stated that Sameer Ali allegedly inflicted multiple stab wounds on Gautam Maurya with a sharp-edged weapon, resulting in his immediate death. Following the attack, locals who heard Maurya’s screams apprehended Sameer Ali and subsequently handed him over to the police. The motive for the alleged murder appears to stem from a photograph posted on Instagram by the deceased.
On Saturday morning, when police took the accused, Sameer Ali, to the fields in an effort to recover the murder weapon, he reportedly retrieved a knife he had hidden. While attempting to escape, the accused is also alleged to have attacked a constable. In response to the perceived threat and to prevent his escape, police fired a shot, which struck the accused on his right leg, the SP added.
A video that has surfaced on social media appears to capture the accused making a statement, purportedly saying, “Gautam did something wrong to my sister, so I killed him.” When questioned further by villagers present at the time, the accused allegedly confirmed his involvement in the killing. During initial police interrogation, the accused reportedly explained that he was incensed after seeing Gautam Maurya post a photograph with his cousin sister on Instagram on July 12.
The accused, Sameer Ali, is currently receiving medical treatment at a government medical college for the gunshot wound sustained to his leg. Authorities have also detained three of his associates for further questioning in connection with the incident. The police are continuing their investigation to ascertain the full extent of involvement of the associates and to gather further evidence related to the crime.
The incident highlights the sensitive nature of inter-community relations and the potential for volatile reactions to social media content in certain areas. The police have emphasized that a thorough investigation is underway to ensure justice for the victim and to bring all responsible parties to account. The legal proceedings will follow standard protocols for such cases, with further details expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
The Chenab Times News Desk