BJYM functionary dies after attack over cigarette dispute in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: A 28-year-old Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) functionary from Ayodhya, who was attacked over an alleged argument over cigarette sharing on May 26, died at a hospital in Lucknow on Friday.

Shivam Singh was assaulted with bricks and stones by a group of youths in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar. He was a district committee member of the BJP Yuva Morcha from Dhaurahra in Ayodhya district.

Police said the incident occurred on May 26 outside a bar in Vibhuti Khand where Shivam had come with some friends for a late-night party.

According to the initial investigation, the altercation began at a roadside kiosk where Shivam was buying cigarettes. Three youths on a motorcycle approached him asking for cigarettes. Shivam gave them a cigarette but the youths asked for more. This escalated into a heated argument but both sides soon left the spot.

According to police, the bikers cornered Shivam near Kathauta lake, a few kilometres away from the place where they argued, and attacked him with bricks and stones. In the assault, Shivam suffered head injuries and collapsed. He was found lying unconscious by some passersby who alerted police. He was taken to hospital where he died during treatment on Friday night.

Police have registered a murder case and arrested three accused: Shantanu Rawat, Honey Tiwari and Vivek Singh. DCP East Deeksha Sharma said police are examining CCTV footage from the area to reconstruct the sequence of events. Multiple teams have been formed to trace the remaining accused. Shivam's family has expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation.