A farmer in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly murdered due to a suspected old rivalry, prompting a police investigation and search for the accused.
A 45-year-old farmer was allegedly shot dead in a village under the Faridpur police station limits here on Friday morning; police suspect old enmity behind the crime.
The victim, identified as Indrapal, was found lying in a pool of blood near a cot in his mango orchard.
"Multiple bullet injuries were found on his body, indicating he died on the spot," a police official said.
Villagers discovered the body when they went to the fields and alerted the police.
Superintendent of Police (South) Anshika Verma, who visited the spot, said, "The murder appears to be the result of an old rivalry. All angles are being probed."
She said, "Three teams have been formed to arrest the accused."
Family members alleged the enmity stemmed from an earlier incident involving the victim's niece.
They named four persons in the case: Rishipal, Sarvesh, Vikas and Sangam, all of whom are absconding.
According to relatives, Indrapal returned late on Thursday after attending a wedding and went to guard his orchard, as was his routine. Police said further investigation is underway.