Jind village sarpanch shot dead by rival’s son, arrested

The panchayat poll rivalry took the first life post-result on Tuesday when a sarpanch of a village in Jind district was murdered by the son of his nearest rival in the recently-concluded elections.

The panchayat poll rivalry took the first life post-result on Tuesday when a sarpanch of a village in Jind district was murdered by the son of his nearest rival in the recently-concluded elections.

Rakesh Kumar Yadav (40), who was recently elected as sarpanch of Kheri village in Jind district, was shot dead allegedly by the son of his nearest rival.

Rakesh was elected sarpanch on January 10, defeating his nearest rival Satbir by 30 votes.

Victim’s family alleged Rakesh was on way to his village on a two-wheeler when Satbir’s son Vijay, along with others, shot at him. They said bullets hit Rakesh on the back and he fell off the bike. Rakesh was taken to the civil hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Victim’s brother Balkrishan said Satbir’s family wanted to revenge the defeat in the panchayat elections.

Safidon DSP Harender Pal said Satbir had already been arrested for murder and the FIR also had names of his accomplices, identified as Vijay, Ramniwas and Jagjeevan. “The probe is on and efforts underway to arrest the co-accused,” the DSP said.

Jind SP Abhishek Jorwal said additional police force had been deployed at sensitive places to maintain peace and harmony.