Three Killed in Pilibhit Ramlila Committee Fund Dispute
A violent clash over Ramlila committee funds in Pilibhit has left three people dead and eight detained.
A violent confrontation over the management of Ramlila committee funds has turned deadly in Amariya, Pilibhit, leaving three people dead and one person critically injured. The clash, which erupted during a heated dispute over financial accounts, has led to the detention of eight individuals by the police.
Financial Disagreements Trigger Fatal Violence
The tragedy stems from a long-standing disagreement within the local Ramlila committee regarding the handling of its finances. The committee reportedly generates an annual profit of approximately five lakh rupees, and tensions have been simmering over how these funds are managed.
The conflict intensified following the passing of the former committee president, Naresh Gupta. The dispute centered on the succession of leadership and demands for a comprehensive four-year financial audit. During a meeting held on October 9, committee member Kaushal Gupta reportedly contested the leadership and demanded a full audit of the income and expenditure.
Night of Violence and Gunfire
The situation escalated into lethal violence on Monday night. At approximately 9:30 p.m., as members were returning from a meeting at a local banquet hall, a confrontation broke out. The clash initially involved the use of sticks and batons, but the violence quickly escalated.
According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Sukirti Madhav, Santosh Gupta, who is associated with the Kaushal Gupta faction, allegedly opened fire using a licensed rifle. The shooting resulted in the immediate deaths of three individuals: Ankit Gupta, Mohit Gupta, and Kunal Srivastava.
A fourth individual, Roj Gupta, sustained injuries during the assault and is currently undergoing medical treatment in Bareilly.
Police Detentions and Investigation
Following the incident, law enforcement moved swiftly to secure the area and detain suspects. Eight individuals have been taken into custody, including:
- Kaushal Gupta
- Harshit Gupta
- Naresh Gupta
- Santosh Gupta
- Rachit Gupta
- Rakesh Arora
- Ashu
- Vicky Maurya
During the investigation, authorities seized several items, including a licensed rifle, a country-made pistol, two cars, and various sticks and batons used during the clash. High-ranking officials, including SP-DM and Bareilly Range DIG Ajay Sahani, visited the site to assess the situation and ensure order.
The police are currently conducting intensive interrogations of the detainees to determine the exact roles played by each individual in the fatal attack. Notably, prior to this violent outburst, no formal police complaints had been filed by either faction regarding the ongoing financial dispute.