Thirsty seer beaten to death for asking for water from hand pump

Agra: A 35-year-old sadhu living at a temple in Kasganj for the past 15 years was beaten to death after a dispute broke out when he asked a man to operate a hand pump so that he could drink water, police said on Wednesday. Kaushal Kumar was arrested after the seer, Vipin Kumar, succumbed to his injuries during treatment late at night.Vipin had been living at a local temple in Nagla Peepal under Kasganj Kotwali police station limits with his sister and brother-in-law. Residents said he was on his way to nearby Nagla Bharhpura shortly after noon when he felt thirsty and asked Kaushal to draw water from a hand pump, leading to an argument between the two. Villagers intervened at the time and the matter appeared to have been settled.Later, around 3pm, Vipin was on his way to attend a feast in a nearby village and was waiting for a taxi at Bharhpura crossing when Kaushal reached the spot and allegedly attacked him with a stick. The sudden assault knocked Vipin to the ground, after which the accused allegedly hit him seven to eight times on the chest and back, and also kicked and punched him before people nearby rushed in and rescued the sadhu. The injured seer was taken to district hospital, where doctors admitted him and started treatment. Doctors said he had sustained deep head injuries, besides injuries on the chest and back, and he died late at night during treatment.Police registered an FIR under BNS section 105 (culpable homicide), at Kasganj Kotwali police station and arrested the accused. Kasganj SP O P Singh said, “Police received information that a dispute broke out between two persons over drinking water, in which one person sustained injuries. The injured person was immediately taken to hospital for treatment, where he died. The accused has been arrested and further legal action is being taken.”