Demanding a fast-track trial, Mahesh Kolhe, the brother of the slain Amravati chemist Umesh Kolhe, revealed on Sunday that one of the accused in his brother’s murder, Yusuf Khan, was a long-time friend of his brother. Khan, a veterinarian by profession, was arrested by the police on July 2 in connection with the murder. According to Mahesh, Khan was friends with his brother had attended many of family functions. Khan had also attended Umesh’s last rites. According to the police, Umesh was murdered on 21 June for circulating a social media post supporting Nupur Sharma after her controversial remark against Prophet Muhammad.
The police had on Saturday arrested Shaikh Irfan, who runs an NGO and who allegedly is the ‘mastermind’ behind the crime. A local court on Sunday sent the Irfan to police custody till July 7. Police are investigating the bank account of the NGO.
The number of arrests may increase after the main accused, said a police official on Sunday. “He (mastermind) was arrested last night. He is being interrogated. They have a helpline group, Rehbar. Several people are connected to them. Seven accused have been arrested so far. The number of arrests may rise after the arrest of the main accused,” ANI quoted Police Inspector Nilima Araj as saying.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Amravati incident very serious, killing is barbaric. Accused, the mastermind has been nabbed. NIA investigating it and finding if there is any international connection. This was initially portrayed as theft, that too will be investigated.”
The 54-year-old chemist was killed on the night of 21 June between 10 and 10:30
when he was returning home after closing his medicine store. His murder was witnessed by his son Sanket and daughter-in-law. The City Kotwali Police Station in Amravati arrested the key accused Muddsir Ahmad and Shah Rukh Pathan. In all, seven persons have been arrested by the police including the prime accused.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday had directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe into the 21June brutal killing on as Umesh was also murdered for supporting the sacked BJP spokesperson Sharma. Umesh’s family members expressed hope that with NIA taking over the probe they will get justice soon.
The post mortem has revealed gory details of the manner Umesh was killed by his assailants. According to post mortem report, Umesh had received a 5 inches wide, 7 inches long and 5 inches deep wound, cutting through veins going to the brain, jugular vein, wind pipe, food pipe and optical nerves.