Property dealer shot at, one attacker lynched

Varanasi, May 29 (UNI) A mob lynched a criminal, who along with his aides shot at and critically injured a property dealer in the Lanka area here today.

Police said Arjun Khatik, a criminal carrying a reward of Rs 2,500, was heavily beaten by a mob when he was trying to flee along with his two aides after opening fire on Shashank Vikram Singh (30), a property dealer in the Naria area.

The seriously-injured Khatik was taken to the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) hospital from where he was referred to district hospital. The doctors, however, declared him brought dead.

A carbine and two magazines were seized from Khatik's possession.

His two aides managed to escape, the police said.

The property dealer was operated upon at a private hospital and is now stated to be out of danger.

A manhunt has been launched to nab the two absconding attackers.

The property dealer, Shashank, is the son of former chairman of Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Bank Limited Upendra Vikram Singh who was shot dead in Lucknow six years ago over a property and railway tender dispute.

Shashank's involvement in shady property deals and proximity to certain mafia groups is suspected to be the reason behind the attack.

UNI