GORAKHPUR: A funeral gathering turned into the scene of a brutal killing in Gorakhpur on Saturday evening when a 52-year-old power department contractor was allegedly dragged out of an autorickshaw and hacked to death by two brothers in what police suspect was a revenge killing.Shivkumar Tripathi, was returning from a funeral feast in Ahirauli village when he was allegedly attacked from behind with a sharp-edged weapon by Rahul Chaudhary, a resident of the same village. Tripathi suffered serious injuries and collapsed on the spot, eyewitnesses told police.A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, purportedly showing the accused attacking Tripathi with a sword.Villagers and members of the host family took the injured Tripathi to a hospital in an autorickshaw. But before they could reach medical help, Rahul, along with his brother Rohit, allegedly intercepted the vehicle. Despite resistance from locals, the brothers allegedly dragged Tripathi out of the auto and took him nearly 200 metres away before repeatedly attacking him with swords.Tripathi died on the spot. Around 20 sharp-weapon injury marks were reportedly found on his body.Tripathi, a resident of Ahirauli, worked as a contractor with the electricity department. His son, Aditya, is an advocate practising in the Gorakhpur civil court.Police suspect the killing may have stemmed from a longstanding feud. According to villagers, Rahul’s cousin, Adesh Chaudhary, was murdered in 2024, and some members of Tripathi’s extended family were named as accused in that case.Investigators are now examining whether Saturday’s killing was carried out as an act of retaliation.Police rushed to the spot after receiving information about the murder and launched an investigation. SP (South) Dinesh Kumar Puri said an FIR has been registered in the case. Three named accused and seven others have been detained for questioning.Police are probing the exact motive behind the murder and examining the role of everyone allegedly involved in the attack.
