3 min readBhopalJun 10, 2025 09:58 PM IST
First published on: Jun 10, 2025 at 09:58 PM IST
A violent altercation at a ration shop in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district has left a man from the Dalit community dead, triggering protests from his family and local residents.
According to police, the conflict began at around 10 am on Sunday at the ration shop in Kumhartoli village, where Pankaj Prajapati (19) and his brother Ashish argued with the shop operator, Praveen Pateria, over the distribution of rations that were taking place after having been pending for three months.
A senior police officer said, “Three months’ pending ration was being distributed together. When the victim’s family’s turn came, they allegedly got one fewer sack, leading to an argument.”
The verbal spat escalated, prompting the brothers to return with family members. Shop operator Praveen Pateria, his brother Naveen Pateria, and salesman Ramsevak Arjaria allegedly responded with verbal abuse and physical assault. “The situation spiralled when Praveen Pateria allegedly climbed to the roof of his house and fired his licensed firearm,” the officer said.
Police said a bullet struck Pankaj Prajapati in the thigh, while another grazed Ashish, who was treated and discharged after first aid. Pankaj was rushed to Chhatarpur Hospital and later referred to Gwalior, but he succumbed to his injuries en route.
On Monday, grieving relatives and local residents gathered at Naugaon Hospital, refusing to allow a postmortem until being assured that justice would be served. They later blocked roads near the tehsil office, and dispersed only after police intervention.
Naugaon police have registered a case against the accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections of murder, and under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as well as the Arms Act.
“Police teams are actively pursuing the accused. Four teams have fanned out in the district. We are positive about making an arrest by tonight,” the officer said.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, targeted the BJP government in the state and at the Centre over the incident. “In Madhya Pradesh, 19-year-old Pankaj Prajapati was shot dead in public only because he, being a Dalit, demanded his share of rights. FIR was not registered, postmortem was postponed because the guilty leader is sitting in the lap of power, and the power belongs to the Manuwadi and anti-Bahujan BJP,” he alleged in a post on X.
He further wrote that the “11 years of the (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi government have been full of humiliation, violence and discrimination against Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, and minorities”.
“The conspiracy to institutionally make them second-class citizens and keep them away from the mainstream is continuing,” he said.
The conflict began at around 10 am on Sunday at the ration shop in Kumhartoli village, where Pankaj Prajapati (19) and his brother Ashish argued with the shop operator, Praveen Pateria, over the distribution of rations (File photo) 
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