Father-son duo gunned down in broad daylight in UP, shooter dies hours later; CCTV video surfaces

MEERUT: A brazen double murder in Baraut town of Baghpat district took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as Varun Luhari, the history-sheeter accused of killing trader Sohanlal Agrawal and his son Vikas, succumbed to injuries at a Meerut hospital.

In a related development, police arrested Baburam, Varun's father, following a complaint lodged by the slain trader's family.

On Tuesday evening, Luhari, accompanied by his associates, allegedly stormed Sohanlal's confectionery shop on Delhi Road and opened fire, killing the trader and his son in what police believe was an act of revenge linked to an 11-year-old feud.

Vikas Agrawal (24) had been married only four months ago, and his wife is pregnant.

The violence did not end at the crime scene. An enraged mob chased the fleeing Luhari and assaulted him. During the confrontation, an unidentified person from the crowd allegedly fired two bullets into his chest.



Police rushed the critically injured Luhari to the Community Health Centre in Baraut. As his condition worsened, he was referred to a hospital in Meerut, where he died during treatment on Wednesday.

Superintendent of Police Suraj Kumar Rai confirmed the death and said that 10 police teams have been deployed to track down the remaining accused.

"Luhari was a history-sheeter. A case under the Gangster Act had earlier been registered against him, and his property was attached. Following that, he and his family left Baghpat and settled in Dehradun. On Tuesday, he had come to Baghpat for a court hearing, after which he allegedly committed the crime. He was also injured during the incident and died in the early hours of Wednesday at a medical college in Meerut," the SP said.

According to police sources, the killings were rooted in a long-running dispute between Luhari and Sohanlal over unpaid goods from the confectionery store.

On July 17, 2015, Varun and his brother Kapil allegedly opened fire at the trader's shop. During the exchange of fire, members of the Agrawal family retaliated, resulting in Kapil's death. Investigators suspect Tuesday's attack was carried out to avenge that killing.

The murders sparked widespread outrage across the town. Angry residents blocked a highway for nearly three hours before allowing police to take the bodies for post-mortem examination.

On Wednesday, traders in Baraut and Baghpat kept their establishments shut in protest. Businessmen gathered near Nehru Murti in Baraut and demanded strict action against the absconding accused, including the demolition of their properties.

A heavy police force was deployed across the market areas to prevent any further escalation.

The last rites of Sohanlal and Vikas were performed on Wednesday morning under tight security. Hundreds of traders, local residents and public representatives attended the funeral and demanded swift justice and stronger action against rising crime in the region.