Overview
- Rajeev Kumar Singh, a Mirzapur lawyer and former village head, was shot at close range during his Saturday morning walk, with CCTV showing the assailants’ bike stalling before they fled.
- Police registered an FIR on a family complaint naming suspects, reviewed nearby camera footage, and formed five teams to track the attackers.
- Rajendra Sonkar was arrested after an overnight encounter early Sunday, and police said they seized two country-made pistols and the motorcycle used, as a second suspect is being hunted.
- Investigators said the case stems from a pradhan, or village council, election rivalry and a long-running dispute between Singh and the accused.
- Relatives and local reports say Singh had warned of threats and survived earlier attacks, raising scrutiny over whether prior complaints to police were acted on.