KANPUR: A 35-year-old tea kiosk owner was shot dead in Maitha area of

while he was offering water to his wife so that she could break her fast on the night of

Chauth on Thursday.

Rajan

, a resident of Madarpur Ghaziuddin village in Shivli, was allegedly shot by Pintu Khan of Raniya Akbarpur area of Kanpur Dehat.

Police said as per Rajan’s wife Urmila, the incident occurred when she along with her two children went to her husband’s tea stall situated near Maitha railway station to break her fast after Karwa Chauth rituals. Soon, Pintu Khan, who owns a bike repairing shop adjacent to her husband’s tea kiosk, stepped in. Rajan was offering water to her when Pintu engaged in a scuffle with Rajan. He whipped out a country-made pistol and shot Rajan from point blank range before escaping. Urmila raised alarm and informed her in-laws following which they rushed to the spot and alerted police control room

Rajan was rushed to the hospital where he was declared brought dead.

“The family suspects that the incident was the fallout of a drunken brawl that occurred between Rajan and Pintu about a week ago. But we are exploring all possible angles,” said police.

Additional SP Anup Kumar said, "Police has launched a search to nab the accused. A case of murder has been registered against him."