Archive · 2 Aug 2026
Murder in UP Sparks 8‑Hour Highway Protest
A 22‑year‑old man named Gautam Maurya was killed in Kant town, Uttar Pradesh.
Police say he was attacked by Sameer Ali and his friends after Maurya posted a photo with the accused’s sister on Instagram.
After the murder, the accused posted the victim’s picture on Instagram.
The next day, people protested outside the police station, blocking a highway for eight hours.
They wanted the accused’s house torn down and ₹1 crore paid to Maurya’s family.
Police said the accused was hurt in a police encounter and that they were watching social media for inflammatory posts.
The protest ended after police persuaded the crowd to lift the blockade, and the victim’s funeral was held with heavy security.
Gautam Maurya, 22, was stabbed to death on July 12 in Kant town, Uttar Pradesh.
Police allege Sameer Ali and associates committed the murder after Maurya posted a photo with the accused’s sister on Instagram.
The accused posted the victim’s picture on Instagram after the murder, sparking outrage.
Protestors blocked the Palia‑Farrukhabad highway for nearly eight hours, demanding demolition of the accused’s house and ₹1 crore compensation.
Police claimed the accused was injured in a self‑defence encounter, and they monitored social media for inflammatory content.
- Who
- Gautam Maurya, a 22‑year‑old resident of Kant town, and Sameer Ali with his associates
- What
- Murder of Maurya, subsequent protest demanding compensation and demolition of the accused’s house
- When
- July 12 (murder) and August 2 (protest)
- Where
- Kant town, Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Why
- Accused allegedly killed Maurya after a social media post; protestors demanded justice and compensation
- Victim
- Gautam Maurya
- Accused
- Sameer Ali and associates
- Date of murder
- Friday night, July 12
- Location
- Kant town, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Protest duration
- 8 hours
- Compensation demanded
- ₹1 crore
- Police action
- Encounter; bullet hit accused’s right leg