The official further said the accused are likely to be produced before the NIA’s Mumbai court on or before July 8.
Amravati: According to a police official, The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over custody of all the seven accused in the murder of Amravati-based chemist Umesh Khole on Tuesday.
The NIA took custody of all the accused, who were granted four days’ transit remand on Monday after they were produced before the Amravati court, the official added.
The official further said the accused are likely to be produced before the NIA’s Mumbai court on or before July 8.
According to Police Commissioner Arti Singh, Amravati police had found links between social media posts supporting former BJP leader Nupur Sharma and Mr. Kohle’s murder during the investigation and didn’t suppress the case as was alleged, police commissioner Arti Singh said on Monday.
Police didn’t disclose the information earlier given the “very sensitive” nature of the murder case and to avoid any untoward incident, Arti added.
The seven are Muddasar Ahmad (22), Shahrukh Pathan (25), Abdul Taufiq (24) Shoaib Khan (22), Atib Rashid (22) and Yusuf Khan (32) and alleged mastermind Shaikh Irfan Shaikh Rahim.
Police are on the lookout for one more suspect Shamim Ahmed in connection with the case.
Mr. Kohle was allegedly stabbed with a knife by a group of three men between 10 pm and 10:30 pm on June 21. He died during treatment at the hospital. He had supported a post on social media in support of Nupur Sharma, who commented on Prophet Muhammad during a live TV debate.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra on Sunday had said that the gruesome murder of a chemist in the state’s Amravati city, allegedly for defending former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s comment about Prophet Muhammad, was “very serious”.
“The Amravati incident is very serious. The cruelty with which he was killed is shocking. The accused have been caught, the mastermind is caught, and the NIA (National Investigation Agency) is also investigating. There is an attempt to find out if there is an external, foreign force that wants to create tension in the country,” Mr. Fadnavis said.
The BJP leader also hinted that any initial lapses in the investigation – an accusation made by the party’s local leaders – would be looked into.
“Initially, it was said to be a robbery. We will find out whether that indeed how it had appeared,” Mr. Fadnavis added.
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