A 23-year-old man was killed and another was seriously injured after a dispute over payment for toys escalated into a knife attack in Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun, the police said on Sunday. The accused, a toy seller, is on the run, the UP Police confirmed.
The violent incident reportedly took place late Saturday night in the Dataganj town area, where two groups argued over the money for toys purchased at the fair. According to the police, the accused, identified as Mohammad Barish, a toy seller and resident of Faridpur in neighbouring Bareilly district, allegedly attacked two men—Rohit, 23, and Hrithik, 24, both residents of Behta Madho village in Budaun's Dataganj area—with a knife during the altercation.
They were rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared Rohit dead. Hrithik, who sustained serious injuries, was referred to a higher medical centre in Bareilly for treatment. The injured youth is reportedly a close relative of a BJP MLA, news agency PTI said in a report.
The accused fled the spot after the incident.
Senior Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma said one of the two accused had been taken into custody, while efforts were underway to arrest the other. The arrested person's whereabouts and role in the crime was not clear during the time of compiling this report.
District Magistrate Avanish Rai and SSP Sharma inspected the crime scene and directed officials to ensure the prompt arrest of the remaining accused.
Police said a case was being registered based on a complaint, and strict legal action would be taken in the matter.
