A young lawyer was beaten to death allegedly for opposing the sale of contraband in his locality here.
According to police sources, Shishir Tripathi was hit repeatedly with sticks, rods and bricks by five men in Damodar Nagar area in the city while he was on the way home on Tuesday night.
Tripathi was rushed to a hospital but was declared brought dead by the doctors, sources said.
One person has been arrested in this connection and a hunt was launched to nab the other culprits.
Tripathi's family members said that some people, who dealt in the contraband, nurtured a grudge against him as he had launched a campaign against the sale of the same and also lodged complaints with the police in this regard.
The family members also accused the local police of providing patronage to the contraband sellers. Taking a serious view of the killing, the state government on Wednesday suspended the in-charge of the local police station.
A large number of lawyers later held a demonstration in front of the collectorate here demanding action against the erring cops and compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the slain lawyer's family.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took potshots at the BJP-led state government over what she alleged deteriorating law and order situation in Lucknow and elsewhere.
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