A policemen shot dead his cousin in full public view at a village council meeting in Uttar Pradesh, authorities said Wednesday.
The council meeting was underway to sort out the land dispute between the two when Harendra Kumar, a constable with the Delhi Police, allegedly killed Rampal Tuesday in Dhigna village of Baghpat district, some 400 km from Lucknow. Kumar is absconding.
"According to eyewitnesses, after noticing that the decision of the panchayat (village council) over the land dispute would go against him, Kumar stood up, took out a pistol and shot his cousin who died on the spot," police inspector Mohan Shyam Saraswat told reporters.
"The incident created panic amongst those attending the panchayat. Later, Kumar managed to escape from the spot on his bike. A few days ago, Kumar had come to his native village Dhigna on leave," he added.
Police have detained Kumar’s family members in an effort to ascertain his whereabouts.