VHP Leader’s Murder: Three held, cops say no cow slaughter angle

Circle Officer, Chhatta area, B S Tyagi said none of the accused are involved in any kind of slaughter trade.

Station Officer, Mantola police station, Lekhraj Singh said the murder was fallout of heated arguments between Shahrukh and Mahaur on two consecutive days. As per the preliminary investigation, the duo had entered in verbal duel three days ago when Shahrukh was standing near VHP leader’s house along with some friends, the SO said.

As the two exchanged heated words, Shahrukh’s mother arrived and intervened, the SO said adding the youth claimed that Mahaur had used abusive language for his mother that day. On Thursday morning, the SO said, Mahaur again had a tiff with Shahrukh reportedly over latter speaking loudly while talking on cellphone outside former’s house. The matter was resolved following intervention of some locals and Mahaur went to a nearby temple, the police official said.

When Mahaur was going to his shop from the temple, Shahrukh arrived there along with four friends and fired from close range at the VHP leader on his back. While the assailants escaped, victim was rushed to the hospital where he was declared brought dead,” the SO added.

“A countrymade pistol of .315 bore used in the crime has been recovered from the possession of Shahrukh,” the SO said.

Shahrukh, who works as a labourer at a shoe factory, lives in a rented accommodation a little distance away from Mahaur’s house. Heavy police force remained deployed in the area to maintain peace.