Lockdown: Man beaten to death for refusing to sell 'paan masala' in UP

Kanpur, April 23

A paan vendor was badly beaten up by his neighbour after he refused to open his shop for a paan masala sachet.

The incident, which took place in Navin Nagar area, came to light after Prem Narain Diwakar died in a hospital earlier this week.

According to reports, Nitin Pandey came to Prem Narain Diwakar’s house on April 14 and asked him to open his shop that is located right in front of his house and give him a paan masala sachet.

Diwakar refused, citing the lockdown, and an argument followed between the two leading to a scuffle.

Pandey reportedly hit Prem with an iron rod and fled from the scene.

Neighbours, who arrived at the scene after hearing the loud arguments, found Prem lying unconscious. They admitted Prem to a nearby hospital where he died on Monday.

Police officials said that a case has been registered and the accused, who is absconding, will be arrested soon. IANS