Amravati chemist killed for alleged support of Nupur Sharma: All you need to know

Umesh Prahladrao Kolhe, a chemist in Maharashtra’s Amravati district, was stabbed to death for an alleged social media post in support of Nupur Sharma. The former BJP spokesperson’s controversial statement about Prophet Mohammad led to nationwide protests. A tailor from Udaipur was beheaded for showing support to her. Both the accused were arrested from the Rajsamand area in Rajasthan.

The incident in Amravati, as per officials, occured on June 21, which is week before Kanhaiya Lal, the tailor, was beheaded. Five persons have been arrested so far in this connection, an official added. 

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“Five persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of the chemist and a search is on to trace the prime accused Irfan Khan (32), who runs a NGO,” Amravati commissioner of police Dr Aarti Singh said on Saturday.

As per an official of the City Kotwali police station, Kohle ran a medical store in Amravati city. He allegedly shared a post on some WhatsApp groups in support of Nupur Sharma. 

“He even mistakenly shared the post in a WhatsApp group in which some Muslims were also members, including his customers.”

The official further added that the prime suspect, Irfan Khan, then conspired with five others to kill Kohle. 

“He promised to give Rs 10,000 to them and a safe escape in a car,” he said.

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The incident occurred between 10 pm and 10.30 pm on June 21, when Kolhe was going home on a two-wheeler after closing his shop, he said, adding that his son Sanket (27) and wife Vaishnavi were accompanying him on a different vehicle.

“When all of them reached near Mahila College’s gate, two motorcycle-borne men came from behind and blocked Kolhe’s path. A youth alighted from the motorcycle and stabbed Kolhe on his neck with a sharp weapon and escaped from the spot. Kolhe collapsed on the road in a pool of blood. Sanket rushed him to a hospital, where he died,” the official said.

Based on Saket’s complaint, an FIR was registered and five persons, identified as Muddsir Ahemad (22), Shahrukh Pathan (25), Abdul Thoufique (24) Shoaib Khan (22) and Atib Rashid (22), all residents of Amravati and daily wage workers, have been arrested.

The police have seized the knife used in the crime and obtained the CCTV footages that captured the sequence of events.

Police commissioner Singh said the exact reason behind the murder is being ascertained.

The Union Home Ministry, meanwhile, handed over the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a spokesperson said.

The NIA would also thoroughly investigate any involvement of organisations and international linkages, the spokesperson added.