UP lawyer shot dead by advocate after argument over disputed property

A lawyer was allegedly shot by another advocate during a dispute over disputed property in UP's Prayagraj. The killing has prompted an FIR, detentions and a three-team police investigation.The family of the victim, Satish Kumar Srivastava, alleged that Additional Government Advocate Devendra Nath Mishra shot him with his licenced revolver on Thursday. (Representative image)Prayagraj,Oct 16, 2026 10:36 ISTA 52-year-old lawyer, who also worked as a college lab assistant, was allegedly shot dead by another advocate after an altercation over a disputed property in Prayagraj, news agency PTI reported.The family of the victim, Satish Kumar Srivastava, alleged that Additional Government Advocate Devendra Nath Mishra shot him with his licenced revolver in the Salori area on Thursday. The dispute was allegedly over Nazul land.Nazul land is a land owned by the government that may be leased to individuals, institutions or other entities for a specified period rather than sold outright.Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Sagar Jain told PTI that Mishra reached the disputed property on Thursday afternoon and broke a lock allegedly installed by Srivastava, triggering an altercation between the two sides. During the dispute, a shot was fired and hit Srivastava in the abdomen, critically injuring him, Jain said. His family members took him to SRN Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.Srivastava's wife, Varsha Shrivastava, registered an FIR against Devendra Nath Mishra, his wife Shail Mishra, son Amrendra Nath Mishra, Nipendra Mishra and eight to 10 unidentified people under relevant sections of the BNS. Varsha said her husband practised as a lawyer in the district and sessions court. Police told PTI that he also worked as a lab assistant at Ishwar Sharan Degree College.Some people allegedly involved in the incident have been taken into custody for questioning. Three police teams have been formed to trace the other accused, while CCTV footage from cameras around the disputed property is being examined.Ambuj Mishra, the lawyer representing the deceased, said he was at the Allahabad High Court when he received a phone call about the alleged assault. On reaching the spot, he claimed that he saw members of the family being assaulted and Salori police outpost in-charge Vinay Yadav holding Devendra Nath Mishra from behind.Ambuj Mishra further alleged that Devendra Nath Mishra then took out his licenced revolver and shot Srivastava. He also claimed that before the firing, Devendra's son Nitendra had tried to hit Srivastava with a bamboo stick.The blow allegedly missed Srivastava and struck Devendra, injuring him. Devendra Nath Mishra is undergoing treatment at Bailey Hospital, he added.Police have taken several people into custody, formed three teams to trace the remaining accused and are examining CCTV footage as part of a detailed investigation into the fatal shooting.- Ends