Allegations of Gunfire Over Land Dispute in Sitapur District

In a troubling incident in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, a woman has accused the father of a trainee IPS officer of orchestrating gunfire at her home amid an ongoing land dispute. Shobhana Shukla claims she purchased a plot of land in 2018, but the officer's father is also asserting a claim over it. Despite a favorable ruling from local authorities, Shukla alleges continued harassment and intimidation attempts from the opposing side. The police have launched an investigation into the shooting, recovering empty cartridges from the scene and detaining several suspects for questioning. This case highlights the complexities surrounding land ownership disputes in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 10, 2026, 08:13 IST

Gunfire Incident Linked to Land Ownership Dispute

In Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, a woman has accused the father of a trainee Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of orchestrating gunfire at her residence in the Maholi area, as part of a contentious land ownership dispute. According to police reports released on Sunday, the complainant, Shobhana Shukla, stated that she purchased a plot of land for approximately ₹1.5 crore on the Adhauri bypass in 2018, where she currently resides with her family.

Shukla claims that she has possession of the remaining portion of the land as well. She alleges that the father of the trainee IPS officer, Vipin Bajpai, is also asserting his claim over the land through a sale deed registered in 2022, leading to ongoing disputes regarding the property.

Approximately two months ago, Shukla mentioned that a decision from the Maholi tehsil officials favored her claim. However, she alleges that individuals from the opposing side have continued attempts to seize the land. On Sunday, she reported that around 24-25 individuals arrived at her home in a vehicle, where they allegedly harassed her and opened fire.

In a video circulated by the media, Shobhana Shukla accused Vipin Bajpai of masterminding the entire shooting incident. She claimed that the group was sent to intimidate her and facilitate their attempt to take control of the disputed land. Nagendra Chaube, the police circle officer of Maholi, confirmed that police responded to the gunfire report and recovered empty cartridges from the scene.

Several suspects have been detained for questioning. Chaube stated, "The woman has filed a written complaint. A case will be registered." The police are currently investigating all allegations, including the gunfire incident. He noted that this case pertains to a land dispute between two parties, with related matters already filed in court. The officer added, "The Maholi police station is meticulously examining all aspects of the case, and further action will be taken based on the investigation."