New Delhi, Lucknow: The family of fringe Hindu leader Kamlesh Tiwari, who was brutally murdered by two assailants in Lucknow Friday, has demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) claiming that they “don’t trust anyone”.
“We want the National Investigation Agency to investigate the case, we do not trust anyone,” Satyam Tiwari was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. “My father was killed although he had security guards, how can we possibly trust the administration then?”
Kamlesh Tiwari, 43, was killed at his residence in Ganeshganj locality of Lucknow Friday. Shot at multiple times and his throat slit, Tiwari died while being taken to hospital, according to reports.
While the suspects are still on the run, the police said the two have been identified. They had come to Lucknow by train and left by train after committing the crime, said the police, adding their last location has been traced to Ghaziabad.
Security was downgraded, says family
Tiwari’s family claimed that they had made repeated requests for an upgrade in his security due to “threats”.
“My father was killed despite having police security,” said Satyam. “He had been demanding a security upgrade due to threats, but nobody paid attention. A few days ago, he had also sent a representation to the Lucknow district administration and the police in this regard.”
Satyam Tiwari claimed 16 police personnel were provided for his father’s security in 2016 but it was periodically downgraded to just one police gunner.
The law student claimed that the gunner was not present when Tiwari was killed, and an inquiry should be initiated against him.
The police have, however, refuted the allegation, claiming that the gunner was present Tiwari’s home when he was killed on Friday.
At Sitapur, Tiwari’s mother Kusum Tiwari told reporters: “Nobody asked me about my suspicion and complaints. When I was asked what did I want from the government, I replied that I just want the body of my son.”
Also read: Day after murder of Kamlesh Tiwari, who wanted to build Godse temples, 3 held in Gujarat
6 arrested so far
Speaking to the media, SSP Kalanidhi Naithani said the suspects had been identified. Arriving at the Charbagh railway station by train, he said, the two started asking people about Tiwari’s address and reached Ganeshganj. They took a train after executing the crime.
CCTV footage from the area had shown two persons carrying a “box of sweets” enter Tiwari’s house Friday afternoon, minutes before he was killed.
According to the UP Police, the last location of the two has been traced to Ghaziabad. The SSP said the two went to Hardoi from Lucknow and reached Ghaziabad via Muradabad. He said ten police teams have been deployed to hunt the killers. While one of the teams led by SP (Crime) has been sent to Gujarat, two teams have been fanned out within the state and seven are carrying out investigations in Lucknow.
Addressing a press conference in Lucknow Saturday, Director-General of Police O.P. Singh said five persons had been arrested for the murder of Tiwari.
Three of them — Maulana Mohsin Sheikh (24) Rasheed Ahmed Pathan (23) and Faizan (21) — were taken into custody in Gujarat’s Surat during a joint operation between the police forces of the two states.
The other two arrested persons are Muslim clerics Mohammed Mufti Naeem Kazmi and Imam Maulana Anwarul Haq, who were picked up from western UP’s Bijnor district after they were named in an FIR lodged by Tiwari’s wife.
The police believe Rasheed Pathan was the mastermind, while Faizan had purchased the box of sweets the man in CCTV was seen carrying.
CCTV footage of suspects behind #KamleshTiwari murder in Lucknow. Along with 2 men in Saffron clothes a woman was also there with them @ThePrintIndia @ThePrintHindi pic.twitter.com/ecODDLKfZh
— Prashant Srivastava (@Prashantps100) October 18, 2019
A sixth person was arrested by the ATS in Maharashtra, according to a PTI report. Identified as 29-year-old Sayed Asim Ali, the police said, he had organised a protest against Tiwari in the past and had threatened him through a YouTube video.
Found address on Google
According to the police, the killers collected information on Tiwari from Google. They said Kamlesh Tiwari’s address, mobile number and work-related information were available on the internet.
The police said the assailants used Google Map to find his Lucknow address.
According to the SSP, the police investigated three mobile phone numbers to find clues to the murder. One of the numbers was was activated on 17 October, a day before the crime.
Officials assure family of action
Tewari’s body was taken to his ancestral village in Mehmudabad Saturday after his family agreed to conduct the last rites as senior officers gave assurance to consider their demands.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also met Tiwari’s family at his residence in Lucknow. On Saturday, he called the killing “an act of mischief to create terror”.
Samajwadi Party chief and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has hit out at the BJP-led government in the state, claiming it had failed to protect Kamlesh Tiwari and created a crime-friendly environment.
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Saffron is killing Saffron over the spoils of power. But in the Hindu Rashtra we live in every crime is supposed to be committed only by Muslims. Shameful that Hindus don’t have the guts to own up to their crimes. What next – Gandhi was also shot by a Muslim?
Seems like you live in an alternate universe. Stop being delusional. This is an open and shut case. Barbaric act committed by religious bigots who claim to be adherents of religion of “peace”.