In a shocking incident from the Khalilabad area of Uttar Pradesh’s Sant Kabir Nagar district, police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against five individuals for allegedly demolishing a shopkeeper’s newly constructed house using a bulldozer, reportedly over a land dispute.
The incident came to light when Pushpa Yadav, the wife of the affected shopkeeper Ram Dayal, filed a formal complaint alleging that their house was deliberately demolished by the accused after they refused to sell their land at an unfairly low price.
According to police officials, a preliminary investigation has confirmed the existence of a land-related dispute between Ram Dayal, a resident of Saraiya village, and Ram Jatan Maurya, who hails from Uska Khurd village.
The dispute had been simmering for some time, but tensions escalated after the shopkeeper declined to sell his land to the accused at a “throwaway price.”
Speaking on the matter, Khalilabad Station House Officer (SHO) Pankaj Pandey stated, “We are in the process of collecting all relevant information about the case. Based on our findings, strict action will be taken against those responsible for the illegal demolition of the house.”
The FIR has been registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to unlawful assembly, mischief, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of peace.
The individuals named in the FIR include Ram Jatan Maurya, his wife Urmila Devi, Vinod Rai, his son Anurag Rai, and another accused, Shubham Rai.
No arrests have been made as of now, and the investigation is ongoing.
Anand Yadav, son of Ram Dayal, elaborated on the events leading up to the demolition. He explained that the family had legally purchased the disputed parcel of land in Uska Khurd back in 201, and had recently completed the construction of their house.
According to Anand, the family had previously resolved their differences with Ram Jatan Maurya and had only proceeded with the construction after receiving an assurance that there would be no objections.
However, after the house was completed last week, the situation suddenly escalated. “They began demanding Rs 2 lakh from us and threatened us with dire consequences when we refused,” Anand alleged.
Things took a dark turn on Saturday night when the family received alarming information that their newly built house was being demolished. “We rushed to the site and saw the accused fleeing the scene after partially or fully bringing down the structure,” Anand added.
This incident has sparked outrage in the local community, with many questioning how such an act could be carried out so brazenly and without immediate consequences.
The affected family is now calling for swift justice and strict punishment for those involved in what they describe as a premeditated act of intimidation and destruction.
