Ballia man dies after alleged assault over electricity connection repair, 4 arrested

A 25-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death with sticks following a dispute over the repair of an electricity connection in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, police said on Monday.

The incident was reported on Sunday afternoon from Semri village under the Nagra police station area. Sonu Yadav had gone to inspect an electricity wire on a pole near the premises of his relative Sumer Yadav when the incident took place, police said.

The FIR states that Sonu and his brother Sushil Yadav were attacked with sticks during an argument and suffered injuries. Both were taken to the Nagra primary health centre. As Sonu's condition was critical, he was referred to the district hospital, where he died during treatment, police said.

Following Sonu's death, his family members and villagers blocked the Nagra-Garwar-Ballia road, seeking the arrest of those responsible. Police officers arrived at the spot and assured the protesters of strict action, after which the road blockade was lifted about an hour later.

Rasra Circle Officer Rajnish Kumar said an FIR was lodged on the complaint of Sonu's brother-in-law Abhishek Yadav. Shailendra Yadav, his father Sumer Yadav, Hare Ram Yadav and Raj Kumar Yadav were named as accused in the case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Kumar said Sonu was repairing an electricity connection that had been damaged by strong winds and rain. While he was carrying out the work on an electricity pole in front of Sumer's house, Sumer and others objected to it, resulting in an argument that later turned into a physical confrontation.

Sonu's body was sent for a post-mortem examination, Kumar said.

Nagra police station in-charge Sanjay Mishra said all four accused named in the FIR had been arrested and that further legal proceedings were underway.  (with inputs from PTI)