A nine-year-old boy was killed and his 16-year-old cousin was critically injured after they were allegedly attacked by a group of men in Uttar Pradesh’s Pipraich area, police said on Sunday. Investigators believe the assault was linked to an earlier complaint over the alleged harassment of a teenage girl from the victims’ family.
The deceased, Saras Singh, a Class IV student, and his cousin, Shiv Kumar, were reportedly on their way to a nearby paan shop when they were intercepted near Bella Kanta Crossing on Saturday evening. Police said Shiv Kumar was the intended target, while Saras sustained fatal injuries after attempting to intervene during the attack.
The attackers allegedly assaulted the two with sticks, iron rods and bricks before fleeing the scene. Both victims were initially taken to the Pipraich Community Health Centre and later referred to BRD Medical College, where Saras succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday. Shiv Kumar remains in critical condition.
According to police, the incident is believed to have stemmed from a dispute that began after a local youth allegedly harassed a Class 11 student from Shiv Kumar’s family during a community event in early July. Although the matter was reportedly settled through a village panchayat, tensions between the two groups allegedly continued.
Investigators said the accused had allegedly gone to the paan shop owned by Saras’ father, Raju Singh, and attacked the two boys after failing to find him there, allegedly in retaliation for the complaint lodged with the police.
The incident sparked tension in the locality, prompting authorities to deploy additional police personnel. Forensic teams examined the scene, while officers began reviewing CCTV footage and recording witness statements.
Police have registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father. Three teams have been formed to trace and arrest the accused, who remain absconding.
Taking note of the alleged delay in police action, Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Kaustubh transferred the Pipraich Station House Officer to Police Lines following a preliminary inquiry and appointed a new officer to head the police station. The investigation is ongoing.
