Loan Dispute Ends Tragically: Mason Beaten Over Rs 200 Debt

A 22-year-old newlywed man was allegedly killed over a Rs 200 loan dispute, igniting family protests on the Gonda-Lucknow highway, officials reported on Tuesday. Hriday Lal, a mason from Laxmanpur Jaat village, was embroiled in a financial dispute after lending Rs 700 to a local, Ram Anuj.

The conflict escalated on August 1 when Lal demanded the return of Rs 200, leading to a violent confrontation. Accused attacker Ram Anuj, his brother Ram Kishore, their son Jagdish, and nephews Pankaj and Chandan reportedly assaulted Lal with sticks. Despite being rushed to Lucknow for treatment, he succumbed to his injuries.

In protest, his family attempted to block the Gonda-Lucknow highway by placing his body on the road. Police intervened, cleared the blockade, and ensured a supervised cremation. All suspects were apprehended, with legal actions pending postmortem results. Security measures were heightened in the village to maintain peace.

(With inputs from agencies.)