People gathered on the police station premises following the murder (Patrika photo)

Raisinghnagar: In a chilling incident on Padampur Road in Raisinghnagar, a tyre shop owner was brutally crushed to death by a tractor driver following a minor altercation over the payment for a puncture repair.

The deceased has been identified as Baljeet Singh, who ran a puncture repair shop near the Shaheed Bhagat Singh College. Escalation Over Petty Payment
According to local reports, a tractor-trolley transporting lime (chuna) from Punjab was en route towards Anupgarh. The driver stopped at Baljeet Singh’s shop near 22 PS to get a flat tyre repaired.

While the shop owner fixed the tyre, a heated argument broke out between the two parties when it came to settling the bill.
The behaviour of the tractor driver escalated rapidly. In a fit of rage, the driver crossed all limits of cruelty, intentionally driving the heavy vehicle directly over Baljeet Singh. Due to the sheer weight of the tractor, Singh died on the spot in a truly gruesome manner.

"The dispute was entirely over a petty sum of money for a tyre repair. The suspect lost his temper and used the vehicle as a weapon," a local source stated.

Suspect Apprehended After Dramatic Chase
Immediately after committing the offence, the two individuals aboard the tractor-trolley fled the scene with the vehicle. Upon receiving information about the incident, the local police swung into action and initiated a pursuit.

Showing immense alertness, the police cordoned off the area near the toll plaza and intercepted the vehicle. The main accused, who was driving the tractor, was taken into custody. However, his accomplice managed to manoeuvre through the darkness and escape. A manhunt is currently underway to analyse his whereabouts and apprehend him.

Distraught Relatives Refuse Post-Mortem
As news of the horrific murder spread across the neighbourhood, a large crowd of local residents and grieving relatives gathered at the police station late into the night.

The police have taken favourable control of the body and moved it to the hospital mortuary. However, the furious relatives have refused to authorise the post-mortem examination. They are demanding immediate, stringent legal action and a formal case of murder to be registered against the accused.
Senior police officers are currently trying to pacify the agitated crowd and convince the family to allow the medical procedures to proceed.