Lawyer Shot Dead in Shivpuri, Family Points to Land Dispute and Alleged Contract Killing
A 57-year-old lawyer was brutally shot dead in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district on Saturday morning while he was on his way to court. The victim, identified as Sanjay Kumar Saxena, a resident of Ghiriyali Mohalla in Purana Bazaar, was attacked near the Anand Sagar Temple on Siddhan Road in the Karaira area.
Details of the Fatal Attack
According to police reports, Saxena had left his home on his motorcycle when unidentified assailants, who were allegedly lying in wait, opened fire on him. It remains unclear whether the attackers were on foot or in a vehicle at the time of the incident. He was found injured by another lawyer who was passing through the area and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Family Alleges Land Dispute as Motive
Family members have strongly alleged that the murder is directly linked to a long-standing and contentious land dispute in Sigdauwa village. They revealed that Saxena had previously represented a client named Kishori Jatav in a land case, which was decided in Jatav's favour. Following this legal victory, Saxena allegedly received multiple threats from the opposing side.
Despite these threats, Saxena continued his legal practice and was currently representing another villager, Mithua Jatav, in a separate but related land dispute. The family further claimed that one of the accused, identified as a local teacher, had been pressuring parties to withdraw from the case and had allegedly offered a sum of Rs 12 lakh to get Saxena killed.
Past Tensions and Electoral Rivalry
The family also cited past tensions connected to the dispute, including an electoral rivalry and the alleged destruction of Saxena's peanut crop last year. These incidents are believed to have exacerbated the conflict, leading to the tragic outcome.
Police Investigation and Legal Community Response
Police have registered a case and launched an intensive search for the accused individuals. The body has been sent for a postmortem examination to gather further evidence. Authorities are examining CCTV footage from the area and analysing mobile phone data as part of their investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that the attack was premeditated and carefully planned.
The local Bar Association has condemned the killing in the strongest terms. They have warned of a work boycott on Monday and threatened to stage protests if the accused are not arrested soon. This incident has sent shockwaves through the legal community and raised concerns about the safety of lawyers involved in sensitive cases.
