Who was Umesh Prahladrao Kolhe, chemist killed in Amravati for alleged support of Nupur Sharma?

Umesh Prahladrao Kolhe, a 54-year-old chemist, was murdered on June 21 in Maharashtra’s Amravati district.

Investigators suspect Kolhe was murdered in retaliation for a social media post supporting BJP candidate Nupur Sharma, who made controversial remarks about the Prophet during a TV debate.

On June 21, between 10 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., Umesh Kolhe was on his way home after closing his shop, ‘Amit Medical Store.’ Sanket, 27, was riding with his wife Vaishnavi on another scooter.

Also Read| Days before Udaipur beheading, Amravati man stabbed for supporting Nupur Sharma

According to PTI, a City Kotwali police station official stated, “Kolhe ran a medical store in Amravati city. He had allegedly shared a post on some WhatsApp groups in support of Nupur Sharma for her comments. He even mistakenly shared the post in a WhatsApp group in which some Muslims were also members, including his customers.”

After an initial investigation prompted by a complaint from Umesh Kohle’s son Sanket Kohle, the City Kotwali Police Station in Amravati arrested two people on June 23: Muddsir Ahemad, 22, and Shahrukh Pathan, 25.

Also Read| Udaipur murder: BJP denies accused had party links

Their interrogation revealed the involvement of four more people, three of whom were arrested on June 25: Abdul Thoufik, 24, Shoaib Khan, 22, and Atib Rashid, 22. Shamim Ahmed Firoz Ahmed has escaped.

Kolhe was rushed to a nearby Axon Hospital with the assistance of bystanders, where he died during treatment.

According to the officer, one of the suspects instructed the other five specific tasks for the murder. When he left the medical store, he asked two of them to keep an eye on Kolhe and notify the other three. Kolhe was obstructed and assaulted by the other three. Following Saket’s complaint, the City Kotwali police station filed an FIR.

Also Read| Rahul Gandhi reacts to Supreme Court’s remarks on Nupur Sharma, blames BJP responsible

The Indian Express asked Sanket if the killing of his father had anything to do with the social media post to which Sanket replied- “My father was a very cheerful person. He never spoke ill about anyone nor was he associated with any political party. I also heard that he was murdered over his social media post, but I checked his Facebook profile and did not find anything objectionable. Only the police can tell what the motive was. I am blank. But I can say for sure that he was not murdered for robbery.”