LUCKNOW: A couple were attacked by their neighbour and his aides after the former objected to spitting in Sitapur on Thursday. Police have registered an FIR and are checking CCTV footage to verify the facts.

Police identified the couple as Rajesh Mishra and his wife Sudha, residents of Loniyanpurwa locality under Kotwali police station.The accused neighbour was identified as Meraj.

On Thursday, Mishras were sitting in their lawn when Meraj’s nephew Ishtiyak allegedly spat on them from his terrace “This enraged Mishras and they scolded Ishtiyak, and warned him to avoid such things in times of coronavirus outbreak,” said SHO, Kotwali, Amber Singh. Singh added that Ishtiyak felt humiliated and complained to Meraj.

Meraj along with Ishtiyak and his aides reached Mishras’ home and had a heated argument with them. “In a fit of rage, Meraj hit me and my husband with a sword. When I tried to dial police control room for help, the attackers ran away,” Sudha stated in her FIR.

Later, a police team arrived on the spot and took the couple, who suffered minor injuries, to a hospital. They were later discharged from the hospital. SHO said an FIR under charges of causing hurt, rioting, and causing hurt with a weapon has been registered against Meraj and Ishtiyak. Police said some witnesses have also recorded their statements.