Dhaba owner shot at for filming and objecting to brawl in public space

Lucknow: A 28-year-old dhaba owner was allegedly shot in the head for filming a group of youths involved in a roadside brawl outside his restaurant in Madiaon on Sunday evening. The victim remains in critical condition at the trauma centre, police said.

The injured man, Vijay Yadav, is resident of Tarhiya in Sairpur area and owner of Yadav Dhaba and Family Restaurant near Bhitauli Tiraha. According to police and eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 5 pm when Vijay was present outside his dhaba.

Eyewitnesses said a group of youths had been fighting on the road near the restaurant. Vijay objected to the ruckus and began recording the altercation on his mobile phone after the youths ignored his warnings.

A video that surfaced after the incident purportedly shows some youths arguing and scuffling outside the dhaba. During the confrontation, one of the youths is seen moving towards Vijay and asking him not to record the video. The group then left the spot.

Police suspect that nearly 20 minutes later, two youths returned on a motorcycle and opened fire at Vijay. One bullet struck him on the forehead, causing him to collapse on the spot in a pool of blood. Panic spread across the area immediately after the firing, while the attackers fled from the scene.

Local shopkeepers and staff members rushed the injured dhaba owner to a nearby hospital, from where he was referred to the trauma centre due to his critical condition.

The incident triggered chaos in the locality as many traders and residents gathered outside the dhaba, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused.

Vijay’s mother, who reached the hospital after receiving information about the incident, broke down on seeing her son’s condition. “My son has no enmity with anyone,” she told reporters.

A dhaba employee identified as Mausam said he was upstairs when he heard a gunshot. “I rushed downstairs and saw Vijay lying unconscious on the ground covered in blood,” he said.

Senior police officers and forensic teams reached the spot soon after the incident and began collecting evidence. CCTV footage from nearby establishments is being examined to identify the accused and trace their movements.

Inspector Shivanand Mishra of Madiaon police station said investigators are probing all possible angles and verifying the identities of the youths seen fighting in the viral video.

Additional DCP (North Zone) Twinkle Jain said Vijay sustained a gunshot injury to the forehead and remains under treatment. She said three police teams, including surveillance units, have been deployed to track down the attackers.

Police said efforts are underway to identify and arrest the accused at the earliest.