In Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, the son of a hotelier was fatally shot by four masked individuals in the Kotwali police station area. The victim’s father has accused the police of not acting against an alleged extortion ring, claiming a connection between the police force and the gang members. He has called for a crackdown on the accused, seeking encounters and demolition of their properties.
The main suspect is said to be linked to the “Katra Gang,” as per investigators. The victim, Vineet Rai, aged 29, had no personal disputes, according to his father, Alok Rai. The accused, associated with the “Katra Gang,” resides near the family’s hotel, with the village head’s brother reportedly leading the gang.
Alok Rai mentioned that the village head allegedly harbors the gang members, indicating a collective involvement in the crime. He revealed that the accused had demanded extortion money from their family, starting at Rs 20 lakh and escalating to Rs 1 crore. Refusing to comply, the family expressed willingness to shut down their hotel instead.
Expressing frustration with the police’s inaction, Rai disclosed his efforts to seek intervention from various authorities, including the DGP and the Chief Minister, without any response. He highlighted a series of similar incidents in the area, attributing them to extortion activities.
Alleging a collusion between the police and the extortion gang, Rai criticized the law enforcement’s role in enabling the gang’s operations. Describing the law and order situation in Ghazipur as dire, he urged for justice for his deceased son, advocating for stringent action against the Katra gang members and their illegal constructions.
