Man kills three over panchayat election rivalry, flees

Three persons have been allegedly murdered in Haryana's Sonipat by a man over panchayat election rivalry.

Major Sushil Chikkara, whose father and brother are among the deceased, said the murders could have been prevented had the police taken timely action.

"This all started during panchayat elections in January. Accused's brother and current sarpanch were candidates back then," he told ANI.

He said the accused, who is now absconding, was angered by his brother's defeat in the Panchayat elections and fired gun shots outside the elected sarpanch's residence. This led the police to provide protection to the sarpanch, however, it was not enough to prevent the accused from attacking the others.

"Current sarpanch, whom my father also supported, won. On April 18, accused fired shots at sarpanch's residence. He's been absconding since then. On May 8 he fired upon two others, killing one and leaving the other critically wounded. Then on May 12 he killed my father and brother," Major Chikkara said.