Jamshedpur, April 28: Senior BJP worker Chandra Shekhar Singh was shot dead last night in course of an altercation with Samajwadi Party activists near his house on Gurudwara Road in Mango.

The 61-year-old was walking down the road in front of his house after dinner when Samajwadi Party district vice-president Suresh Sharma, whose house is also on the same street, allegedly shot him.

The victim’s younger son, Tuntun Singh, told The Telegraph that on the day of the poll on April 26, his father had an altercation with Suresh Sharma at the Workers’ College polling booth over bogus voting but the dispute had apparently been settled.

In the FIR filed by Chandra Shekar Singh’s elder son, Sanjay Singh, it has been alleged that Suresh Sharma, his associate and NSUI activist Manoj Chowbey and Suresh’s younger brother Dinesh Sharma were verbally abusing the victim’s family.

Overhearing the abuses hurled on his family, Chandra Shekhar Singh, who went towards them in protest, was allegedly caught hold of by Dinesh Sharma and Manoj Chowbey while Suresh Sharma fired at Chandra Shekar Singh.

Police have arrested Manoj Chowbey but the main accused Suresh Sharma and his brother are absconding.

According to the post-mortem report, Singh was shot in the chest from close range, rupturing his lungs.

The bullet tore apart the victim’s chest and his right armpit.

Today, Suresh Sharma's house virtually turned into a police camp with the district authorities apprehending more trouble ahead.

Patrolling has also been intensified in the Mango area, which has been witnessing trouble brewing since the day of the poll.

On April 26, the BJP and the JMM workers had clashed over casting of votes after 5 pm.

Several BJP workers had gathered at the post-mortem house today. Finance minister M.P. Singh, BJP parliamentary candidate Abha Mahto's husband Shailendra Mahto and other BJP leaders were also present.

“Last night, Suresh Sharma and two others were verbally abusing me and my kin. My father was walking down the road after dinner. On hearing the abuses, my father and elder brother came to the place. While Manoj and another person caught hold of my father, Suresh shot my father with a pistol,” said Tuntun Singh, adding that the assailants fled the spot leaving the victim in a pool of blood.

But according to local residents, the BJP leader was killed when the licensed gun of Tuntun Singh misfired and the bullet hit Chandra Shekhar Singh.

According to sources, Tuntun had taken out the licensed rifle as Suresh Sharma had abused him over the poll-day rift.

Chandra Shekhar Singh, who was out on a stroll after dinner, wanted to prevent his son from entering a fight.

But the gun misfired killing the BJP leader. Singh was rushed to Tata Main Hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

Mango inspector Sunil Kumar rushed to the spot and controlled the situation, which had turned volatile.

Fearing an imminent attack on Sharma’s house, the inspector, along with four sections of armed police, patrolled the locality throughout the night.

The body of the slain BJP leader was brought to MGM Medical College mortuary for post-mortem. After autopsy, the body was taken to the TMH mortuary as his cremation would take place on Thursday.

The victim’s daughter would arrive here tonight from Balliha of Uttar Pradesh to attend the funeral.

Mango officer-in-charge Sunil Kumar said, “Investigations are on. I have arrested one person, but two others, including the alleged shooter, managed to abscond. I will act on the basis of an investigation.”

A senior police officer said the firing was from Chandra Shekhar Singh's licensed rifle, but they would bring out the matter when the situation calms down.