UP: BJP Leader Shot Dead In Firozabad Days Before Bypoll, Family Alleges Political Enmity; Probe Underway

Three bike-borne assailants opened fire at local Bharatiya Janata Party leader DK Gupta outside his shop late Friday night. The victim was soon rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.

(Representative Image/ PTI)

In a highly shocking incident, a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader DK Gupta was shot dead by three unknown assailants in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad district on Friday. According to the reports, the three bike-borne assailants opened fire at DK Gupta outside his shop late last night when the leader from the saffron party was leaving after closing his shop. The miscreants fired three rounds at Gupta who later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for the treatment but could not be saved. News agency ANI reported that DK Gupta, a BJP leader was shot dead by bike-borne assailants outside his shop in Narkhi Police Station limits in Firozabad. The victim's family has alleged a political enmity as the motive behind the murder. In a murder case, the family members have named three of Gupta's party colleagues - Viresh Tomar, and two of Mr Tomar's uncles - Narendra Tomar and Devendra Tomar. All three have reportedly been taken into custody for investigation after the family named the three as suspects. Meanwhile, soon after the incident broke out last night, the family members and numerous supporters of DK Gupta protested near the hospital, demanding the arrest of the accused. Some protesters even tried to block a road in Agra. The incident has come to light just a day after a middle-aged man was shot dead in front of local officials on Thursday in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia over a dispute. The man named Jai Prakash (46) was shot dead allegedly by Dhirendra Pratap Singh after the SDM decided not to go ahead with the meeting due to a dispute between members of self-help groups. Taking quick action, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the suspension of the sub divisional magistrate (SDM), circle officer and all other policemen present at the spot in Durjanpur village in Ballia's Reoti area, police said.