Haridwar Land Dispute Escalates into Firing Incident: BJP Worker Among Seven Booked
In a dramatic escalation of a long-standing land dispute in the holy city of Haridwar, a case has been registered against seven individuals, including a youth BJP worker and a prominent seer from the Matri Sadan ashram. The incident, which involved an alleged firing between two rival groups, occurred on Wednesday in the Kankhal area over accusations of land encroachment, officials confirmed on Thursday.
FIR Lodged Under Attempt to Murder Charges
Police authorities stated that the First Information Report (FIR) was filed at the Kankhal police station under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to attempt to murder. The complaint was lodged by Amit Chauhan, a 40-year-old BJP functionary and vice president of the zila panchayat. In his detailed account to the police, Amit alleged that his nephew, Gaurav Chauhan, a 30-year-old youth BJP worker, along with Atul Chauhan (45) and their associates, physically assaulted his brother, Sachin Chauhan (30), and resorted to opening fire during the confrontation.
Following the incident, Atul Chauhan surrendered to the authorities and was subsequently arrested. He was produced before a local court on Thursday, marking a swift legal response to the violent altercation.
Root Cause: Alleged Land Encroachment and Revenue Department Intervention
The confrontation erupted when a team from the revenue department arrived in Panjanhedi village to conduct a land verification exercise. This visit was prompted by a complaint filed by Atul Chauhan, who accused Amit Chauhan of illegally encroaching on government land. According to Atul's allegations, Amit was developing a residential colony on the disputed property without obtaining the necessary permissions, sparking tensions between the two factions.
Matri Sadan Ashram Claims Self-Defence and Administrative Bias
In a significant twist, seers from the Matri Sadan ashram held a press conference on Thursday to present their side of the story. They claimed that Atul Chauhan fired the shots in self-defence during the heated dispute. The ashram representatives further alleged that the administration acted under pressure in handling the case, pointing to what they described as a biased approach.
Adding to their grievances, the seers revealed that a prior complaint filed by the ashram against Amit Chauhan and others had not been acted upon by the authorities, raising questions about procedural fairness and potential political influences in the matter.
List of Accused and Police Statement
The individuals named in the FIR include:
- Atul Chauhan
- Brahmachari Sudhanand (Matri Sadan seer)
- Lakshya Chauhan
- Tarun Chauhan
- Gaurav Chauhan (youth BJP worker)
- Abhishek Chauhan
- Another individual named Abhishek
City Officer Shishupal Singh Negi provided an official statement, confirming the registration of the case and the inclusion of these seven names. The police investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the circumstances that led to the firing and the broader context of the land dispute.
This incident highlights the volatile nature of property conflicts in urban and semi-urban areas, often exacerbated by political affiliations and community tensions. As the legal process unfolds, the case is expected to draw significant attention due to the involvement of a BJP worker and a religious figure, underscoring the complex interplay between politics, land rights, and law enforcement in Haridwar.
