A BJP worker was shot dead by two persons on Monday night at Dankaur in Greater Noida. The two men accused in the case are allegedly relatives of a person contesting the municipal elections scheduled on November 26.
According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Sagar Sharma (28), who ran a jewellery business. He was allegedly shot dead with a licensed revolver by Manoj Verma and Deepak Verma. Manoj has been arrested while Deepak is on the run.
‘On way home’
According to the complaint filed by Sharma’s brother, Abhimanyu, both of them were on their wayhome when the incident took place.
“While we were walking home, Manoj and Deepak arrived on a bike and took Sagar a little distance away on the pretext of talking to him about some work. They had an argument which escalated after which Manoj held Sagar from behind. Deepak then took out his revolver and shot him. The two then fled the spot,” said Mr. Abhimanyu.
Sagar was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to injuries. Following the complaint, an FIR has been registered under Sections 302 (murder) and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
“We have arrested Manoj but Deepak is still absconding. We have formed teams to nab him,” said Suniti, Superintendent of Police (Rural), Gautam Budh Nagar.
Cop suspended
The family members said Sagar and Deepak were goldsmiths. “For the election, the district magistrate had strictly ordered the police to be on the guard and the candidates and their family members or relatives had to submit their licensed ammunition to the police. We have suspended the Sub Inspector of Dankaur Police chowki who failed to collect the ammunitions from their possession,” Ms. Suniti added.
Sources said the incident is a fallout of political rivalry. According to sources, Sagar was seen on Monday afternoon entering the office of Bahujan Samajwadi Party and the two accused, who are cousins of a BJP candidate got infuriated. The duo thought Sagar supports the BSP, sources added.
‘No political angle’
However the police have ruled out any political angle, saying Deepak and Manoj were related to a local BJP leader, who is contesting the municipal elections. But the BJP leader was also allegedly close to the victim.
“Some people are giving it a political angle without any basis. The accused men are relatives of the BJP leader, but he was also close to Sagar,” said Farmood Ali Pundir, station house officer, Dankaur police station.
