Two youths shot in Gorakhpur after calling a man 'motu'

Two young men had to pay a heavy price for body-shaming a man at a community feast in Gorakhpur in May this year, as they were later shot and injured in a retaliatory attack. The incident took place near Tarkulha Devi Temple and led to the arrest of two accused, Arjun Chauhan and his accomplice Asif Khan, following an FIR filed at Khajni police station, TOI reported.

Mocking remark triggers violent retaliation

According to TOI, Arjun Chauhan, a resident of the Belghat police station area, was attending the feast with his uncle when Anil Chauhan and Shubham Chauhan, both from Manjhariya, allegedly mocked his weight by calling him “motu” (fatso). Although others at the gathering tried to intervene, the remark reportedly left Arjun furious.

Victims followed and attacked on highway

Later that night, Arjun and Asif tracked the two men on the highway. After an initial failed attempt, they intercepted the victims’ car near the Tenua toll plaza on the Jagdishpur Kalesar bypass. According to the report, Arjun confessed to police that he and his friend dragged Anil and Shubham out of the vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene. The chase reportedly went on for 20km.

Passersby took the injured victims to the district hospital, from where they were referred to Gorakhpur Medical College. Both are now out of danger.

FIR registered, pistol recovered

Superintendent of Police (South), Jitendra Kumar, told TOI that the FIR was registered based on a complaint by Shubham’s father. Police also recovered a countrymade pistol from the possession of the accused, who were taken into custody.

(With inputs from TOI)