Journalist who mediated nursing home dispute in Fatehpur killed

News agency reporter Dilip Saini, 38, was killed while trying to mediate a dispute involving nursing home operator Prakash Singh in Fatehpur district. On the night of October 30-31, a group led by two criminal brothers attacked Saini and his friend Shahid with sharp weapons and firearms after breaking into a house, senior police officials said on Saturday.

The incident reportedly highlighted police negligence as police officers had earlier visited the nursing home when one of the accused, Ankit Tiwari, was causing disturbance and demanding extortion. Just hours after Saini intervened to help Singh and called the police for backup, he was attacked and killed.

Making the situation worse, the main accused brothers Annu Tiwari and Alok Tiwari (alias Akku) continued to issue threats to the nursing home operator. It was claimed that despite numerous complaints, the police did not take into account requests for protection.

Fatehpur superintendent of police (SP) Dhawal Jaiswal informed that five of the nine named suspects have been arrested, while the remaining four, including the Tiwari brothers, are still at large. Those arrested include Ankit Tiwari, Ashish Kumar, Jitendra Patel (alias Bablu), Vipin Sharma and Lekhpal Sunil Rana. The police plan to enforce the Gangster Act against the attackers for their organized activities.

The attack took place around 11:48 pm on Wednesday night, when Saini and Shahid were having dinner at Saini’s house, which is under the jurisdiction of Kotwali City police. The attackers, armed with sharp weapons, batons and firearms, entered and attacked them. Shahid is seriously injured and is receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Saini’s wife Manorama has filed an FIR under Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) against the nine named suspects and six unidentified persons.

Prakash Singh said that when Ankit Tiwari and his friends started vandalizing the nursing home, Saini called the police and supported him. Shortly after the police arrived, Tiwari and his group left, but hours later he retaliated by attacking Saini.

Singh also revealed that he received death threats from Alok Tiwari but claimed that the local police put pressure on him instead of addressing his concerns.