Patna: The journalist of a Hindi daily and his friend were killed in Ara on Sunday night, allegedly by a former mukhiya's husband angry over the scribe's reportage.

Navin Nischal, 40, and his friend Rajesh Kumar, 25, were crushed under the wheels of an SUV at Nahsi village in Bhojpur district - 60km west of Patna. The SUV was being driven by Ahmed Ali alias Harsu, husband of Sanzida Parveen, a former mukhiya (village head) of Garhani panchayat.

Patna zone inspector-general (IG) Nayyar Hasnain Khan has constituted a five-member special investigation team (SIT) led by Ara deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Sanjay Kumar to probe the incident. The SIT has arrested Harsu.

"Based on a complaint lodged with the police by the family of the dead, the SIT arrested Harsu on Monday morning," Sanjay Kumar said from Ara. "He has been booked for murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The police are also looking for Harsu's son Dabloo, who, too, has been named in the FIR."

Sources said Harsu had some differences with Navin after he wrote an article hinting at embezzlement of mukhiya funds by Harsu. On Sunday, Harsu allegedly had a heated argument with Navin at Garhani Bazar, where he threatened the journalist of dire consequences.

Around 8.30pm on Sunday, Navin and his friend Rajesh were returning to Bagba village when the SUV ran them over near Nahsi village. The two died on the spot.

Police sources said an eyewitness claimed Harsu and his son were in the vehicle and fled from the scene leaving the vehicle behind after the accident. Agitated residents later torched the SUV.

"The SIT is looking into all possible angles, like Harsu's rivalry with the journalist, Harsu and his son's activities, their business activities and more," DSP Sanjay Kumar said.

On Monday, residents staged a protest against the death. Garhani bazar was closed. Residents also blocked the Ara-Sasaram highway for hours. The blockade was lifted only after the police reached the spot. In Ara, a delegation of journalists met district administration officials and submitted a memorandum.

The Indian Journalists IJU) Union in Patna condemned the incident. "The union will meet chief minister Nitish Kumar and submit a memorandum demanding Rs 10 lakh as compensation and a job to family members of the dead journalist," IJU executive member and senior journalist Ravi Upadhaya said.

The union will also approach Press Council of India chairman Justice Chandramouli Prasad for constituting a fact-finding team to probe the incident.