Lucknow: After arresting a 25-year-old man for allegedly shooting BJYM member, Chetan Tiwari, 35, in Bazarkhala on Saturday, the Lucknow police on Sunday said that a long-running personal rivalry and repeated public humiliation appear to have triggered the attack.According to police, the accused, Vaibhav Bajpai alias Kaustubh Bajpai, told investigators during interrogation that he was under distress for a long time because of harassment and defamatory remarks by Tiwari.Deputy commissioner of police, West Zone, Kamlesh Dixit, said the accused claimed Tiwari had spread rumours in the locality that he was suffering from AIDS, causing social embarrassment and anger.Police said Bajpai allegedly told them that he felt constantly insulted and had decided to “eliminate” Tiwari.Officers, however, said the claims made by the accused during questioning are part of the investigation and are being verified independently.The shooting took place around 11 pm on Saturday outside Tiwari’s residence when he was sitting with his wife and newborn daughter.Investigators said Bajpai arrived there with associates, got into an argument with Tiwari and then allegedly opened fire with intent to kill. One bullet struck Tiwari near the waist and lodged in his spine.Doctors at the trauma centre of King George’s Medical University said the injury severely affected his lower body and both legs were left unresponsive. His condition remained under close observation on Sunday.Police said another shot was also fired at a person who tried to intervene during the attack, though no additional injuries were reported. A CCTV clip of the shooting surfaced on social media and was being examined as part of the probe. Police teams scanned footage from the area and detained Bajpai within hours. He was formally arrested later the same night.The firearm allegedly used in the attack was also recovered on his disclosure, officials said. Based on a complaint filed by Tiwari’s wife, Mansi alias Shweta, Bazarkhala police registered an FIR under charges of attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and relevant provisions of the SC/ST Act.In her complaint, she alleged that the accused and his associates abused the family with casteist slurs and issued threats before the firing. Police said raids are continuing to trace other named associates.Records show Bajpai has multiple criminal cases against him, including assault, intimidation and proceedings under the Uttar Pradesh Goonda Control Act.Senior BJP leaders, including deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak, Neeraj Singh and BJP mahanagar president Anand Dwivedi, visited KGMU on Sunday to meet Tiwari’s family and enquire about his condition.
