Lucknow: Sitapur police have arrested four persons, including two women, in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Manoj Gautam in Ludhaura village under Kamalapur police station limits in Sitapur district.The accused allegedly attacked him on the head with the wooden handle of a spade following a dispute rooted in an old enmity between the two families. The arrests were made late on Saturday. Police also recovered the wooden handle allegedly used in the crime at the instance of the accused. The accused have been identified as Shubham Singh, Dhirendra Kumar Singh, Kalpana Singh and Sunita Singh. Police said the murder took place on Oct 16 after an argument escalated into a violent confrontation.According to police, Manoj was involved in an argument with his wife, Gudiya, over an issue on Oct 16. During the altercation, he was allegedly using abusive language. The members of the other family reportedly believed that the abuses were directed at them, triggering an argument between the two sides. The confrontation subsequently escalated into a physical assault.Police alleged that Shubham, Dhirendra, Kalpana and Sunita Singh struck Manoj on the head one after another with the wooden handle of a spade. He sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot. Police said the two families had a history of hostility, which is believed to have contributed to the violence.In 2024, Dhirendra Singh’s son Shivam was murdered. Members of the family of Manoj’s uncle were subsequently jailed in connection with that case, according to police. Additionally, a case of assault had been registered against Manoj in 2019. Investigators believe the longstanding animosity between the families formed the backdrop to the latest confrontation.Following the murder, Manoj’s wife, Gudiya, lodged a complaint at Kamalapur police station. Based on her complaint, police registered a case against the four accused under relevant provisions relating to murder and assault, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The four accused were arrested near the road before the Kasmanda Community Health Centre, police said.The action was taken on the directions of Sitapur SP Ankur Agarwal. The police team was led by station house officer Atul Chaudhary and included other personnel from Kamalapur police station. Police are completing the formalities to produce the accused before the court. Further investigation is underway.
