Businessman assaulted over land dispute:Claims attackers pointed revolver before assault, 8 booked including BJP leader

A businessman in Katni has alleged that he was the target of an attempt on his life during a dispute over a piece of land. Industrialist Mukesh Gupta claimed that a revolver was pointed at his temple, his younger brother’s mobile phones were snatched, and a group of 30–35 people assaulted them with sticks. He also alleged that his car was vandalised during the attack. Gupta said he managed to escape the spot, claiming that had he not fled, he could have been killed. Based on his complaint, police have registered a case against eight accused, including BJP leaders. The other side has denied the allegations, calling them baseless. Businessman alleges encroachment attempt on his land Mukesh Gupta said he received information at around 10 AM on Sunday that some people were attempting to encroach on his land in the Dugadi Nala area. He reached the site with his younger brother Rahul Gupta and driver Heera Singh at around 10:30 AM There, he allegedly found Ramesh Shukla, his son Yagyaval (Yashpal) Shukla, Harsh Pandey, and Armaan Dwivedi using a JCB machine to demolish the boundary wall. ‘They told the crowd to kill us’ According to Gupta, he initially approached the group hoping to resolve the matter through discussion. However, he alleged that Armaan Dwivedi pointed a revolver at his temple, while Rahul Gupta’s two mobile phones were snatched. Mukesh Gupta further claimed that Ramesh Shukla and his son shouted, “Kill both of them,” after which 30–35 people surrounded and attacked him, his brother, and their driver with sticks. He also alleged that the attackers damaged his car during the incident. ‘The land has been ours for two decades’ Gupta claimed that his family has owned the disputed land for the past 20 years. He said his father had the land jointly measured with Ramesh Shukla on three occasions, after which boundary walls were constructed on three sides, while the fourth side already had a stone boundary. He alleged that the boundary wall was now being demolished in an attempt to illegally occupy the property. BJP leader rejects allegations Harsh Pandey, city president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha’s Madhav Nagar Mandal unit, denied all allegations. He said they were carrying out cleaning work and installing fencing on land belonging to his relative Ramesh Shukla when Mukesh Gupta and his associates arrived, leading to the dispute. Pandey dismissed allegations of pointing a revolver or attacking anyone with weapons, describing them as completely baseless. Cross cases registered by police Based on Mukesh Gupta’s complaint, the NKJ Police Station registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Ramesh Shukla, Yagyaval Shukla, Harsh Pandey, Armaan Dwivedi, Manoj Kushwaha, Koka Shukla, Manu Paroha, and one unidentified person. Meanwhile, acting on a complaint filed by Ramesh Shukla, police have also registered a case against Mukesh Gupta. Police said complaints from both parties are being investigated, and further action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.