Agra waiter’s murder: Police arrest all 3 accused, maintain killing wasn’t retribution for Pahalgam

Those arrested identified as Manoj Chaudhary, Priyansh Yadav and Shivan Baghel. Chaudhary had been caught earlier. Police say Yadav and Baghel were caught following an encounter.

Priyansh Yadav and Shivan Baghel were caught following a shootout with police | Amir Qureshi | ThePrint

Agra: Agra Police have arrested all three accused in the murder case of 27-year-old Gulfam, a biryani shop waiter on the night of 23 April outside the small eatery in Tajganj area near the Taj Mahal.

The arrested accused are Manoj Chaudhary, Priyansh Yadav and Shivan Baghel. Chaudhary had been caught earlier. Yadav and Baghel were caught following an encounter with the police. The police team that arrested the trio has received a Rs 25,000 reward.

On 23 April midnight, three assailants shot at Gulfam outside the eatery near Shilpgram parking. The bullet hit his chest, killing him on the spot. Another waiter Saif Ali (25), Gulfam’s cousin, was also injured. After firing the shots, the accused fled the scene on a bike. Later, Saif Ali was admitted to S.N. Medical College.

According to the police, initial investigation has pointed to a dispute and personal enmity as motives behind the murder.

Gulfam was shot outside his family-run restaurant in Tajpur, Agra | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Last week, a video went viral on social media, in which Chaudhary brandishing weapons took responsibility for the murder of Gulfam, trying to give the case a communal colour. However, the police immediately dismissed what he said in the video, adding that his statements had no connection with the murder.

Claiming to be a member of ‘Kshatriya Gau Raksha Dal’ in the viral video, Chaudhary asserted that Gulfam’s murder was “revenge for the Pahalgam terror attack”. After their investigation, the police clarified that no such organisation existed in Agra, adding that they registered a case against the man after identifying him from the video.

Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar then said: “There is no communal angle to the murder. It is a crime arising out of a personal dispute. Strict action is being taken by registering a case against those who tried to spoil harmony by spreading rumours on social media.”

The officers have appealed to the public not to believe any rumours and maintain peace, assuring speedy probe in the case. A chargesheet will soon be filed, and the case will be presented in the court.

(Edited by Mannat Chugh)