A man shot dead his cousin allegedly over property dispute in Ramnagar area of Barabanki district in Uttar Pradesh, police sources said here on Friday.

The sources said that Hari Om, a resident of Gaurichak village, was having a dispute with his cousin Ritesh Verma alias Rinku over agricultural land.

"On Thursday night the duo had a scuffle over the issue during which Hari Om shot his cousin Rinku with his licenced weapon," they said.

Police sources said that Rinku, who sustained bullet injury in his temple, died while being taken to the hospital.

"In the meantime Hari Om and his family members escaped from the spot. Force from several police stations reached the spot in the wake of the tension prevailing in the area."

The sources also said that Superintendent of Police (SP) Dinesh Kumar Singh inspected the spot late last night and launched a search operation during which the murder weapon was recovered from the house of the accused.

(With UNI inputs)