A shocking incident in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked outrage and fear after a senior advocate was shot dead in broad daylight while he was out for his routine morning walk. The victim, 40-year-old Rajiv Singh, was attacked by two men riding a motorcycle who opened fire at close range and fled from the spot after a dramatic delay that was captured on CCTV.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the incident took place on Saturday morning when Singh stepped out for his daily walk in his locality. A motorcycle carrying two men approached him quietly. In the CCTV footage that later surfaced, one of the attackers can be seen getting down from the bike and pulling out a crude pistol. Within seconds, he fired at the lawyer from close range. Singh collapsed immediately on the road, leaving little chance for anyone nearby to intervene.
After firing the fatal shot, the attacker quickly rushed back to the motorcycle where his accomplice was waiting. However, what happened next added an unexpected twist to the crime. The rider repeatedly tried to start the motorcycle but it refused to start. The man could be seen continuously kicking the pedal while both attackers appeared visibly nervous, realizing they were stuck at the scene of the murder.
The delay lasted several tense moments. Hearing the gunshot, a few local residents cautiously moved toward the spot to see what had happened. But the situation turned threatening when the gunman pointed his pistol toward them. Fearful for their safety, the bystanders immediately backed away and ran from the area.
After several attempts, the motorcycle finally started, allowing the two men to escape. By the time the vehicle roared away from the scene, the street had already begun attracting attention from nearby residents. Within a short time, hundreds of people gathered at the location, creating a tense atmosphere in the locality.
Officials from the Uttar Pradesh Police soon reached the spot and launched an investigation. The area was cordoned off while officers collected evidence and examined the CCTV footage that clearly shows the sequence of events. Police confirmed that a case has been registered and multiple teams have been formed to track down the suspects.
A senior police officer told reporters that preliminary findings suggest the murder may have been linked to a dispute within the village. However, investigators are exploring every possible angle before reaching a final conclusion. The officer also said that the police have obtained credible leads and are actively pursuing them to identify and arrest the accused.
What has added another layer of concern to the case is the revelation that Rajiv Singh had previously expressed fear for his life. Sources say the advocate had submitted an application earlier indicating that he might be attacked. Singh, who had also served as a former village head, had reportedly faced threats in the past and had even been targeted in earlier incidents.
The brutal killing has triggered strong reactions from political leaders as well. Opposition leader IP Singh criticized the state government over the law-and-order situation, claiming criminals were “roaming freely” and such incidents were becoming increasingly common.
Meanwhile, investigators continue to examine CCTV recordings and gather information from local residents in an effort to trace the attackers. Police officials have assured that strict action will be taken once the suspects are identified and arrested.
The murder has left the community shaken. For many residents, the fact that a lawyer could be shot dead on a quiet morning street has raised troubling questions about safety and security in the area.