Massive Protest Erupts After ITI Student Himanshu Saroj’s Murder in Prayagraj, Accused Arrested After Police Encounter

Tension gripped the Holagarh area of Prayagraj after the murder of 19-year-old ITI student Himanshu Saroj triggered widespread anger among family members, villagers, and supporters of the Bhim Army.

On Tuesday, a day after the postmortem, the victim’s relatives and residents staged a major protest by placing Himanshu’s body on the road and blocking traffic.

Protesters also allegedly pelted stones at the house of the accused and clashed with police personnel during the agitation.

During the chaos, there was reportedly a scuffle involving Holagarh police station in-charge Virendra Kumar Mishra.

Himanshu, a resident of Rajapur Chaubara village, was pursuing an ITI course while living at his maternal grandparents’ home in Purabnara village.

According to police, he was shot dead on Sunday by the accused Sahil Yadav.

After the postmortem, the body reached the village on Monday evening, but the family refused to perform the last rites until the accused was arrested.

Police later claimed that Sahil Yadav was arrested the same night after an encounter.

Despite the arrest, protests intensified on Tuesday as family members, villagers, and Bhim Army supporters demanded stricter action, including demolition of the accused’s house and cancellation of alleged government land allotments connected to his family.

The standoff continued for several hours before senior police officials and the SDM of Soraon assured the protesters that their demands would be considered.

Following the assurance, the family agreed to conduct the final rites, and Himanshu was cremated at the Shringverpur Ganga ghat.

Police said Sahil Yadav was arrested late Monday night near the Durgapur canal culvert during an encounter operation carried out by the Holagarh police team. Officers recovered a country-made pistol, a live cartridge, an empty shell casing, and a motorcycle from his possession.

During the exchange of fire, Sahil allegedly suffered a bullet injury to his leg and was later admitted to the hospital for treatment.

According to police officials, the accused confessed during preliminary interrogation that the murder was linked to an old rivalry dating back nearly a year.

Himanshu, the son of Sanjay Kumar from Rajapur Chaubara village, was not only pursuing ITI studies in Nawabganj but was also preparing for competitive examinations through coaching classes.

He frequently stayed at his maternal grandparents’ house in Purabnara.

Police said the incident took place on the morning of May 10 near a canal bridge in the Todi Ka Pura area, where Sahil Yadav and two other associates allegedly shot Himanshu dead before fleeing the scene.

Based on a complaint filed by Himanshu’s mother, Reena Devi, the police registered a named FIR and launched a search operation for the accused.

According to police, around 12.30 am on Monday, they received information that Sahil was hiding near the Durgakund canal bridge.

When the police team reached the location, Sahil allegedly opened fire, prompting retaliatory action from officers, after which he was arrested.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Singh Gunawat said the accused revealed during questioning that the hostility between him and Himanshu had started over a motorcycle collision nearly a year ago.

Police claimed that on Sunday, Himanshu had called Sahil to the canal bridge area for a possible compromise discussion.

However, the meeting reportedly turned violent, and during the altercation, Sahil allegedly shot Himanshu dead.

Police are continuing their search for the two other accused who remain at large in the case.