LUCKNOW: A long-running feud between two families over parking a car beneath a banyan tree and rebuilding a platform around it turned deadly in Lucknow’s Saadatganj area on Monday morning, when a neighbour allegedly opened fire, killing three members of the same family, including a retired power department official, his younger brother and his son.The dispute had simmered for years, but a confrontation over the parked car triggered the fatal violence.The deceased were identified as Shivaji Tiwari (62), a retired stenographer in the power department and former district-level karyavah of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), his younger brother Shivendra Tiwari (55), and Shivaji’s son Suyash (30), who was scheduled to get married on December 5.Police have arrested the prime accused, Rishabh Shukla, and detained seven others. A pistol and empty cartridges were recovered from the scene. Preliminary information indicated that the main accused fired more than 12 rounds.The shooting took place around 10.35am in Naubasta Brahmani Tola locality, triggering panic among residents. The three men were rushed to the trauma centre at King George’s Medical University, where doctors declared them dead.According to a complaint filed by Ruchi, Shivendra’s wife, the two families had been at loggerheads over neighbourhood issues, particularly the parking of vehicles and the reconstruction of a platform beneath a banyan tree. The Tiwari family supported the reconstruction work being overseen by local councillor Anoop Kamal, while the rival group opposed it.Ruchi alleged that the neighbours had repeatedly harassed her family and lodged false complaints against them at Saadatganj police station. Tensions had escalated in recent days, with the disagreement over the platform adding to the existing friction. The parking of a car beneath the tree eventually became the immediate trigger for Monday’s confrontation.According to the complaint, a member of the Tiwari family had parked a car beneath the banyan tree when Shivendra, who was heading to a nearby temple to offer prayers, was confronted by members of the rival group around 10.35am. The accused allegedly abused him and attacked him with sticks and clubs.Hearing the commotion, Shivaji and Suyash rushed out to rescue Shivendra. During the confrontation, Rishabh allegedly pulled out a pistol and fired at all three men.“During the confrontation, Rishabh pulled out a pistol and opened fire on Shivendra, Shivaji and Suyash,” deputy commissioner of police, west zone, Jitendra Srivastava, said.Police reached the spot and arrested five people, while further action was taken against the remaining accused.A neighbour, Anoop Saxena, said the two families frequently quarrelled and that Monday’s confrontation escalated within minutes.“When they started fighting again this morning, I asked them why they were creating a scene. Rishabh asked me to call the police. I went inside my house to get my phone to make the call. While I was inside, I heard 8-10 rounds of gunfire. When I returned, I saw bodies lying on the ground,” he said.Saxena added that the two sides had been involved in a major altercation a few days earlier, following which the matter was taken up by Saadatganj police.
