Former BJP Youth Leader Critically Injured in Kanpur Attack
In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through Kanpur, former BJP yuva morcha district vice-president Sonu Rathor was brutally attacked by a group of youths. The assault occurred in the Rawatpur police station area near Chhapeda Puliya, stemming from a long-standing dispute over a shop.
Violent Assault Leaves Victim Fighting for Life
According to police reports, Sonu Rathor was shot in the back and stabbed multiple times in the stomach during the violent confrontation. Emergency responders rushed him to Lala Lajpat Rai (LLR) Hospital, where medical professionals confirmed his condition remained critical throughout the night. Police examination revealed the victim sustained seven to eight knife wounds in addition to the gunshot injury.
The attack unfolded late Tuesday night as Rathor was returning from a wedding ceremony in Rawatpur. Witnesses and family members reported that he was passing by the disputed shop when the assailants launched their coordinated assault.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Kanpur police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against nine named individuals based on a formal complaint filed by Sonu Rathor's parents. The main accused, identified as Abhishek Vishwakarma, has been taken into custody following intensive police work that included analyzing CCTV footage that went viral on social media platforms.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) SM Qasim Abidi, who personally arrived at the scene to oversee the investigation, provided crucial details about the case. "There has been an ongoing dispute over a shop between the two parties," Abidi stated. "When Sonu was returning late Tuesday night, Abhishek and his associates attacked him. Believing him to be dead, they fled the scene. We have arrested Abhishek with the help of CCTV evidence and are conducting searches to apprehend his remaining associates."
Family Background and Political Fallout
Sonu Rathor resided near Signature City in Nawabganj with his family. His mother, Rajjo Devi, and brother, Saurabh, revealed that the family operates a shop selling worship materials at Chhapeda Puliya, which has been at the center of the dispute. According to family statements, the attackers included Abhishek Vishwakarma along with associates identified as Sajan alias Rohit and Baba, plus several other individuals.
The violent incident prompted immediate political reactions, with BJP functionaries from across Kanpur gathering outside LLR Hospital to monitor the situation. Authorities deployed substantial police forces to prevent any potential unrest or escalation of tensions following the attack on the former party youth leader.
Ongoing Police Operations
Kanpur police continue their investigation into the brutal assault, with multiple teams working to locate and apprehend the remaining suspects named in the FIR. The viral CCTV footage has provided crucial evidence, and police are examining additional surveillance material from the area to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the violent confrontation.
Medical authorities at LLR Hospital are providing round-the-clock care to the critically injured former BJP youth leader, whose condition remains under close observation. The case has drawn significant attention from both political circles and the general public, highlighting concerns about law and order in the region.
