BJP corporator shot dead in Varanasi, police probe ‘old enmity’

Shiv Seth (35), a BJP corporator from Ramapurr ward, was on way to Kakarmatta area to his house when the unidentified attackers intercepted him and fired at him near Moti Jheel around 11.30pm, police said Wednesday.

As Seth collapsed, the assailants fired two more rounds in his head before fleeing, Bhelupur CO, D P Shukla, said.

Seth was rushed to a government hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, he said.

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Based on a complaint filed by his father Madan Seth, an FIR against unidentified persons has been registered at the Bhelupur police station.

“We have some clues but we cannot share it at this stage. The case will be solved soon. The family members and supporters of the deceased had staged a protest. However, they have been assured of justice. The post-mortem has been conducted and the body has been cremated,” said SP (City), Sudhakar Yadav.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Seth, who had won the corporator’s election as an independent, had joined the BJP during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

A resident of Laksa area, where his ward is located, Seth was said to have developed many business interests, including dealing in property.

He had also pursued a criminal case of murder against Santosh Shukla, a history-sheeter of the area, besides getting his brother arrested.

However, recently the name of Seth’s brother Nagendra had cropped up in the murder of one Golu Yadav, who had gone missing since July 30. A resident of Laksa area, Golu was allegedly called by Nagendra and his friends from his home made to consume liquor before being shot dead. His body was found in Lohata area, the next day. Seth, too, was reportedly named in the FIR, but police later gave him a clean chit.

Union Minister Kalraj Mishra, who was in Varanasi Wednesday, met Seth’s family. He also criticised the state government for failing law and order situation.