In yet another case of an attack on a journalist, a scribe of a Hindi newspaper was shot at and critically inj... Read More

KANPUR: In yet another case of an attack on a journalist , a scribe of a Hindi newspaper was shot at and critically injured in Naubasta area of the City here on late Wednesday night. A case has been registered and efforts are on to nab them, the police said.

Sources claimed that the attack was a fallout of Mishra's complaint against local gambling dens. No arrests have ben made so far. Mishra was admitted to a private nursing home from where he was later rushed to Lala Lajpat Rai hospital in a critical condition. The incident comes close on the heels of a journalist, who was allegedly killed over Facebook posts against Samajwadi Party minister Ram Murti Verma, Shahjahanpur district.

Reports said Deepak Mishra, 35, a resident of Gangapur colony in Bidhnoo area and a scribe with Hindi newspaper had been against the gambling racket in the neighbourhood since long.

Mishra, on Wednesday night was on his way back home from newspaper's office located at Gurudeo Palace area in Kalyanpur on his motorcycle when four bike-borne miscreants accosted him near Basant Vihar area of Naubasta. Sensing danger, the scribe tried to escape but the miscreants chased and opened fire on him. Mishra was hit in his stomach and right shoulder. The assailants escaped after the incident.

The people nearby gathered around informed Naubasta police and later apprised Mishra's family, who alleged, Mishra was against the illicit practice of gambling in the area and this didn't go well with local miscreants.

"Mishra, a permanent resident of Mainpuri, allegedly working with a local Hindi newspaper, was staying at his maternal uncle's house in Gangapur Bidhnoo area of the district. We have registered a case against the four men and have formed separate teams to arrest them," SSP Shalabh Mathur said. He further said that as per the doctors,his condition is out of danger now. "No arrest has been made yet."

During investigation, Mishra has named Raja Pandey, Jitu Pandey, Sachin Pandey and an unidentified man who allegedly shot at him in connection with an old dispute, wherein he had lodged a complaint against the illicit practice of gambling in the area, Mathur added.