Shopkeeper kills man while fleeing from police

The incident took place at Jamalpur in East Burdwan on Tuesday late night.

The victim, Raju Sheikh, went to buy beetle leaf in a shop where liquor was being sold illegally. The shop is situated on the bank of a canal.

Police came to know that the victim was returning from Burdwan on his motorbike with his father and brother.

After riding the bike for around 45 minutes, he stopped at a place to buy beetle leaf from the shop. He had parked his motorbike at a distance where his father and brother were standing.

The owner of the shop, Suvendu Biswas, considered the youth to be a policeman with two others standing at a distance and attempted to flee. While trying to escape he pushed Raju. Both Raju and the shop owner fell into the canal.

Though the shop owner managed to swim upto the bank of the canal, it was not possible for Raju.

Locals reached the spot when they came to know about the incident. But it was not possible for them to undertake a search operation at night as it was completely dark.

This morning civil defence personnel initiated a search operation and fished out Raju's body. It may be mentioned that hundreds gathered when the civil defence personnel were undertaking the search operation. Local block development officer Subrata Mallick went to the spot.

Locals said besides selling cigarettes and beetle leaves, Suvendu also used to sell liquor illegally in his shop and it is the reason why he attempted to flee to avoid getting arrested. Moreover, this was the first time when Raju had visited the shop.