The complaint filed by the victim’s son-in-law names businessman Ashok Kumar Gupta, his son Kapil, Naresh Kumar, and four to five unidentified persons as assailants
NEW DELHI — A 60-year-old Muslim journalist, Mohammad Naseem Ahmad, was allegedly beaten to death by a group of men in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district following a dispute over a Diwali advertisement for his newspaper.
Ahmad, who was associated with Hindi daily Dainik Janvani, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment on Sunday.
The assault reportedly took place on Jarothi Road, under the jurisdiction of Hapur Dehat police station, where Ahmad had visited a local flour mill with colleagues to seek an advertisement for the newspaper.
According to eyewitnesses, the businessman declined the request. As Ahmad and his companions were leaving, a group of around seven to eight people allegedly confronted them, accused them of being “fake journalists” and attacked them.
Ahmad and another man, identified as Salauddin, reportedly sustained serious injuries in the assault.
According to the complaint lodged with Hapur Dehat police, Dr Shahrukh, Ahmad’s son-in-law and a resident of Asoda Mahal, learnt about the incident after receiving a call from his wife.
Upon reaching the community health centre, Dr Shahrukh said he spoke to people who had accompanied Ahmad to the flour mill. They reportedly told him that businessman Ashok Kumar Gupta had refused the request and that a confrontation followed as the group prepared to leave.
The complaint names Gupta, his son Kapil, Naresh Kumar, a resident of Sarvodaya Colony, and four to five unidentified persons as assailants.
According to the complaint, the group abused the journalists, and the situation escalated when Ahmad objected. The accused allegedly attacked him with kicks and punches, repeatedly striking his chest and other parts of his body.
Two Detained
Hapur Police have taken two persons in custody for questioning.
“Two people have been taken into custody and are being questioned,” the police said, adding that further legal action would be taken based on the facts established during the investigation.
The statement also said the Superintendent of Police, Madhuban Kumar Singh, visited the scene and the hospital with police personnel after receiving information about the incident.
The identities and specific roles of those detained, as well as the precise circumstances that led to the fatal assault, remain subject to investigation.
