Kasganj violence: Prime accused of 'Tiranga Rally' firing, killing arrested

Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday claims to have arrested the prime accused in the murder of 23-year-old Abhishek Gupta alias Chandan during communal clashes on Republic Day in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj.

The main accused has been identified as Saleem Javed. Kasganj Police a day after Gupta’s killing had recovered a pistol and some crude explosives from his residence during a raid on Saturday night.

According to police, Javed’s brother Waseem and Naseem along with 17 others have been charged with murder and under relevant Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections.

Additional director general of police (ADGP) Agra Ajay Anand said, “Javed was arrested on Wednesday morning. Raids are being conducted to nab other accused.”

Kasganj district magistrate RP Singh also confirmed the arrest.

District magistrate of Kasganj, RP Singh, also confirmed Saleem’s arrest to the press.

Gupta’s father had lodged a complaint with the Kotwali Police station of Kasganj.

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The 23-year-old boy was killed in clashes following stone-pelting by a mob on a ‘Tiranga Rally’ taken out by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Republic Day.

A video is also making round on social media showing that Gupta was part of the rally. In the video one can see him riding one of the motorcycles with two others.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh for Gupta’s family.