In a sensational killing in Deoria, the aged priest of Siddhapeeth Hanuman temple situated in Bhaluani police station area of the district was beaten to death by goons on Tuesday night.

Ashok Chaube, who was seriously injured in the attack, was taken to the medical college hospital by his family where the doctor pronounced him dead.

According to reports, on getting the information, a large number of people, including the temple’s Peethadheeshwar Shivcharan Das and successor Gopal Das reached the hospital. Superintendent of Police Sankalp Sharma also reached the hospital and took information and also inspected the spot.

It is worth noting that Ashok Chaube (60) of Tendua Chaube village under Bhaluani police station, used to perform worship rituals in Baripur Hanuman temple. Two days ago, when he reached home from the temple at night, a birthday party was going on at the house of one Hausla Paswan, who lives in the neighbourhood. A lot of people had gathered there and DJ was playing. When Ashok Chaube protested against the loud sound of the DJ, the Paswan family got into a fight. The victim had complained about this to the local police. The neighbours were angry about this. However, the local residents intervened and brokered a settlement.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday late night, Hausla Paswan’s family members reached the grocery store next to the house of the deceased to buy goods, while the shop was closed. Ashok asked them to go back. There was a dispute again between the two on this matter and later some close associates of Hausla Paswan reached there with sticks and rods and brutally attacked the victim till he fell unconscious.

The family and local residents shifted him to hospital but he died on the way.

Baripur temple’s Mahant Gopal Das said that many times complaints were made to the police that the Paswan community often quarreled after consuming intoxicants but the police did not take any action in this matter due to which assistant priest Ashok Chaube was killed.

SP Sankalp Sharma reached the spot and took information about the whole case and said that further action was being taken by taking many people into custody in the case.

Temple’s successor Gopal Das said that Ashok Chaube had filed a complaint about the dispute that took place two days ago but the police did not take any action and this had emboldened the accused.

Police said that some suspects had been taken into custody and were being questioned. The reason for the incident is said to be the dispute that took place two days ago.

Meanwhile, seeing tension in the area, a heavy police force was deployed to avert any untoward incident. The body was sent for post-mortem after registering a case against Hausla Paswan and his aides.