Amravati chemist murder: Centre hands over investigation of case to NIA, international links to be probed

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday handed over the probe of the case relating to the killing of Umesh Kolhe in Amravati Maharashtra on June 21 June to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). MHA on Saturday tweeted that the conspiracy behind the killing, involvement of organisations and international linkages would be thoroughly investigated.

Recently, NIA had taken over the probe of murder of Udaipur based Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor, who was brutally murdered by two radicals, Riyaz Akhtari and Ghouse Mohammad who had visited Lal's shop last month posing as customers.

"So far we have arrested six accused persons in the case. Prima-facie the investigation has revealed that the crime has been committed with regards to the post related to Nupur Sharma. Kolhe had supported a post on social media in support of Nupur Sharma," said an officer from Amravati City police.

Those arrested have been identified as Muddasar Ahmad (22), Shahrukh Pathan (25), Abdul Taufiq (24) Shoaib Khan (22), Atib Rashid (22) and Yusuf Khan (32). The police had also seized the knife used in the crime and obtained the CCTV footages that captured the sequence of events.

The Kotwali police in Amravati had registered an FIR based on charges of murder and common intention, on the complaint of Umesh's on Sanket. As per Sanket's complaint, the incident took place between 10 pm and 10:30 pm on June 21. After closing their medical shop, Sanket and his wife had left on a motorcycle, while Umesh had left on his motorcycle, together.

After having passed through Prabhat Chowk, they saw one man on a motorcycle, while two persons standing near him. The suspects had a knife and they stopped Umesh's bike. One of the accused then attacked Umesh on his throat. Umesh, who started bleeding profusely, then fell on the road, police said.

Sanket then cried for help, after which all the accused fled on their motorcycle towards the direction of a bank and escaped. Sanket then with the help of those who had gathered on the spot, rushed Umesh to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead during treatment.