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Kannauj Advocate Murder: Police personnel inspect the crime scene following the fatal shooting of lawyer Anuj Chaturvedi. (Img: X)
Kannauj: A 38-year-old advocate was allegedly shot dead in broad daylight during Diwali shopping, sending shockwaves in this Uttar Pradesh district. The victim, identified as Anuj Kumar Chaturvedi, was reportedly attacked by a man identified as Anmol Dixit following an altercation linked to an alleged personal and electoral rivalry. The assailant allegedly fired four rounds at the lawyer near Chhibramau Kotwali, leaving him critically injured.
He was subsequently declared dead by doctors at a local hospital. Family members have demanded the accused's encounter, while the police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
The incident took place in the Kakarai locality under the jurisdiction of Chhibramau Kotwali in Kannauj district, Uttar Pradesh. As per media reports, Anuj Kumar Chaturvedi, lawyer and son of a retired police sub-inspector, had stepped out of his residence to purchase festive essentials ahead of Diwali when he allegedly got involved in an altercation with Anmol Dixit.
The dispute reportedly escalated following an earlier disagreement involving a slap and an alleged electoral rivalry. According to the victim's family, the confrontation turned violent when the accused allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired four shots at Chaturvedi.
The lawyer sustained multiple gunshot injuries and collapsed on the road. The sound of gunfire triggered panic in the locality, with residents and passers-by left shocked by the brazen attack. The incident created an atmosphere of fear and confusion in the neighbourhood, particularly because the shooting occurred close to Chhibramau police station.
Following the shooting, family members rushed the critically injured advocate to the hospital in Chhibramau in an attempt to save his life. However, doctors declared him dead upon arrival, bringing the family's hopes of his recovery to a tragic end.
The murder sent shockwaves across the locality and triggered widespread grief among relatives and acquaintances. The proximity of the crime scene to the police station has also brought the effectiveness of local policing and preventive security arrangements under scrutiny. The incident has once again highlighted concerns surrounding firearm-related violence, personal enmity and the safety of civilians in public spaces during major festivals.
The killing has plunged the victim's family into profound grief, with relatives expressing anger over the brutal nature of the attack and demanding stringent action against the accused. The family has reportedly demanded an encounter of the alleged assailant, reflecting the outrage and anguish following the fatal shooting.
However, the accused's guilt and the circumstances of the crime will have to be established through the investigation and judicial process. Chaturvedi is survived by his wife Lakshmi, mother Suman and seven-year-old daughter Shraddha. The sudden loss of the family's sole support has left his relatives devastated. The tragedy has been particularly distressing for his young daughter and other family members, who were left struggling to come to terms with the shocking circumstances of his death.
The incident also drew political attention after BJP MLA Archana Pandey reached the spot following the murder. Chaturvedi was reportedly associated closely with the legislator and was also described as her relative. The MLA was visibly emotional while meeting the bereaved family, as relatives mourned the advocate's death. Her visit brought further attention to the case, which has generated considerable concern in the region over the deteriorating sense of security and the need for swift police action.
Following the incident, Kannauj Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar and Additional Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar reached the crime scene along with police personnel. The officers inspected the location, gathered preliminary information and initiated investigative proceedings to establish the sequence of events leading to the murder.
SP Vinod Kumar confirmed that a case had been registered and that action was underway to apprehend the accused. Police teams are pursuing the investigation, with the circumstances of the confrontation, the alleged motive, the weapon used and the accused's whereabouts forming key aspects of the probe. The authorities will also need to examine available evidence and statements from witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events and establish individual responsibility.
The killing of a lawyer during Diwali shopping has intensified concerns over public security in Kannauj, particularly as the attack reportedly occurred near a police station. The incident has brought renewed focus on the challenges posed by personal rivalries, alleged political or electoral disputes and the use of illegal firearms in violent confrontations.
The timing of the murder, during a major festival associated with family gatherings, shopping and community celebrations, has further amplified its emotional impact. For the victim's family, the immediate demand remains justice and the swift arrest of the alleged attacker. The police investigation and subsequent legal proceedings will be crucial in determining the facts of the case and ensuring accountability.
