Maharashtra chemist killed over post supporting Nupur Sharma, Centre orders NIA probe

The accused in the Amravati murder case. News18

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday ordered a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the killing of a chemist in Maharashtra’s Amravati.

54-year-old Umesh Kohle was hacked to death on 21 June, almost a week before tailor Kanhaiya Lal was beheaded by two men Mohammed Riyaz Akhtar and Mohammed Ghous in Rajasthan’s Udaipur.

In both the murders, the victims allegedly shared social media posts in support of BJP’s suspended spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

Earlier, the counter-terror agency started probing the Udaipur killing on the orders of the Home Ministry.

Seven arrested in chemist murder case

“Police have arrested the seventh accused related to the murder incident from Nagpur, Maharashtra,” Nilima Araj, Police Inspector, City Kotwali PS, Amravati said.

“During the investigation, we found that Umesh Kolhe had posted on social media in support of Nupur Sharma and this incident took place because of that post,” Vikram Sali, DCP Amravati said earlier in the day.

“Kolhe ran a medical store in Amravati city. He had allegedly shared a post on some WhatsApp groups in support of Nupur Sharma for her comments. He even mistakenly shared the post in a WhatsApp group in which some Muslims were also members, including his customers,” an official of the City Kotwali police station earlier said.

After that, the prime accused Irfan Khan (32) who runs an NGO hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Kolhe and roped in five persons for it.

He promised to give Rs 10,000 to them and a safe escape in a car, he added.

The incident occurred between 10 pm and 10.30 pm on 21 June when Kolhe was going home on a two-wheeler after closing his shop, he said, adding that his son Sanket (27) and wife Vaishnavi were accompanying him in a different vehicle. “When all of them reached near Mahila College’s gate, two motorcycle-borne men came from behind and blocked Kolhe’s path.

A youth alighted from the motorcycle and stabbed Kolhe on his neck with a sharp weapon and escaped from the spot. Kolhe collapsed on the road in a pool of blood. Sanket rushed him to a hospital, where he died,” the official said.

Earlier, based on Sanket’s complaint, an FIR was registered and five persons, identified as Muddsir Ahemad (22), Shahrukh Pathan (25), Abdul Thoufique (24) Shoaib Khan (22), and Atib Rashid (22), all residents of Amravati and daily wage workers, were arrested.

The BJP on 5 June suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled another leader Naveen Jindal for their controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammed.

With inputs from agencies

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