Lucknow: A 26-year-old driver was allegedly beaten to death in the Madiaon area after a dispute with his friend over the sale of the latter’s mother’s anklet. Police arrested the friend and his father in connection with the crime.Victim Shubham Soni was found critically injured outside his house in Mama Colony, Faizullaganj on Sunday morning. He succumbed to injuries, following which police registered a murder case on the complaint of his brother Shivam.According to the FIR, Shubham had recently helped his friend Sumit sell an anklet. He later learnt that the jewellery belonged to Sumit’s mother and allegedly confronted him over the matter, questioning why he had been used to dispose of it. Family members claimed Shubham also threatened to inform Sumit’s relatives, leading to tension between the two friends.Police said Shubham was called out of his house on Saturday night. His family alleged that he was made to consume alcohol before being assaulted by Sumit and others. During the attack, he was allegedly beaten with bricks, stones and an iron rod.Investigators said CCTV footage from the locality has emerged as a key piece of evidence. The footage purportedly shows Shubham being chased through a lane by multiple persons before he is attacked. Severely injured, he is seen staggering along the road and attempting to support himself against a wall before collapsing.Family members alleged that an iron rod was thrust into Shubham’s abdomen and that the accused later abandoned him outside his residence.Police have arrested Sumit and his father, Mathura, both named in the FIR. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.Shubham’s mother Malti Soni said her son worked as a four-wheeler driver and had left home after being called by acquaintances on Saturday evening. She accused the suspects of luring him out and fatally attacking him.Madiaon police said they are analysing CCTV footage, questioning the accused and collecting other evidence. Further action will be taken based on the investigation and post-mortem findings.
