In a clear case of deteriorating law and order in Chhattisgarh’s state capital, a businessman was shot-dead on Tuesday from a point blank range by a police constable at his office located at busy Pachpedhi Naka locality.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel while terming the incident unfortunate offered his condolence to the bereaved family. According to police, the deceased identified as Sanjay Agrawal who used to deal in used cars.
Agrawal was at his office ‘Sai Motors’ located in Pachpedhi Naka locality when the accused identified as constable Manoj Sen of District Force reached his office at noon and opened fire at Agrawal. State government has dismissed the cop from service.
“The accused constable had paid around Rs 3 lakh to Agrawal on March 4, to purchase a car, but the latter reportedly delivered him a shabby vehicle. Unsatisfied with the deal, the constable demanded his money back. But Agrawal promised to repair the vehicle, but kept on postponing the date of delivery of the vehicle”, city superintendent of police (CSP) Purani Basti Krishna Patel said.
Enraged over the dilly-dallying tactics of Agarwal, Sen reached his office and had a heated argument after which he shot at Agrawal with an INSAS rifle he was carrying.
The assault rifle is issued to Manoj’s relative, who is in CAF and presently posted at Mana battalion,” CSP Patel added.
Agrawal was later rushed to a private hospital nearby where doctors declared him brought dead, police said.
Sen was arrested later and has been booked under Section 302 (murder) and Arms Act.
Meanwhile, former state cabinet minister and BJP leader Rajesh Munat reacting over the incident said, law and order has completely collapsed in the state after the Congress government came to power in December last.
“Congress is politicising the police force. A SP is not allowed to stay in office for less than two months. In such a scenario, how can he control the law-and-order situation? he questioned.