Four arrested after wage dispute turns fatal in Pratapgarh district

The incident occurred on September 4, 2026, in Jahanabad village under Hathigwan police station limits. A dispute broke out over payment of wages, which escalated into a physical altercation during which one person was critically injured. The victim succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

A case was registered at Hathigwan police station under sections 105/3(5)/115(2)/352/351(3) of the BNS. Under the guidance of Pratapgarh Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar, a police team led by Hathigwan Station House Officer Satyendra Singh launched a campaign to apprehend the accused.

On September 8, acting on a tip-off from an informer, the team arrested all four accused near Srinagar crossing under the Jahanabad flyover. The arrested persons have been identified as Raju alias Rajkumar Gautam (40), Hemant Gautam (19), Sunita (38), and one juvenile in conflict with law. All are residents of Jahanabad village under Hathigwan police station in Pratapgarh.

During interrogation, the accused told police that the dispute had started over demands for payment of wages. The argument turned into a physical fight during which the victim sustained injuries that proved fatal despite medical treatment. After the case was registered, the accused were heading towards the highway to evade arrest when police intercepted and apprehended them.

Police recovered a wooden plank used in the incident from the possession of the accused based on their disclosure. The arrest team included Station House Officer Satyendra Singh, Sub-Inspector Radheshyam Singh, Sub-Inspector Ajay Kumar, Woman Sub-Inspector Rakhi Singh, Constable Ashish Tiwari, Woman Constable Pooja, and driver Constable Harshvardhan Singh.