60-Year-Old Man Shot Dead in Ghazipur After Holi Dispute Escalates
Minor clash between children over Holi colours reportedly led to violence, police probe underway.
A 60-year-old man was shot dead in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district after a dispute related to Holi celebrations escalated into violence, according to local reports and police.
The incident occurred in Chadipur village under the Karanda Police Station limits. The victim, identified as Aas Muhammad (also reported as Aas Mohammad or Mohammed), was a resident of the village.
According to reports, the conflict began on Holi (March 4, 2026) when children from Aas Muhammad’s family allegedly had an argument with children from the family of Arvind Pandey, also known as Twinkle, over the application of Holi colours.
What started as a minor disagreement soon escalated, with members of both sides reportedly engaging in a physical altercation involving bricks and stones. Several people were said to have sustained injuries before the situation temporarily calmed down.
Family members claim that during the confrontation, Aas Muhammad avoided direct involvement and stayed inside his home while tensions continued outside.
The following day, relatives including his sons and grandsons reportedly went to the Pandey family’s house in an attempt to apologize and restore peace in the village. However, the situation remained tense.
According to members of the victim’s family, they had approached the police after the initial clash. They allege that instead of acting on their complaint, police detained Aas Muhammad. Relatives further claimed that he was beaten in custody, though these allegations have not been officially confirmed.
Aas Muhammad was released on Sunday (March 8). Shortly after returning home and stepping out of the house, he was allegedly shot by a member of the Pandey family using a licensed firearm. He died on the spot, according to reports.
The victim’s family has accused local authorities of bias and linked the killing to the earlier dispute. They have also alleged that the village pradhan may have influenced the situation, though officials have not confirmed these claims.
Police said a case has been registered and an investigation is underway. Authorities have detained the current village pradhan for questioning and are conducting raids to locate and arrest the main accused.
Security has been increased in the village to prevent further tension, and officials have assured that strict action will be taken against those found responsible.
