LUCKNOW: The body of a 25-year-old youth, Vinay Srivastava, was found a gunshot wound inside a Thakurganj house belonging to Union junior minister for housing and urban affairs Kaushal Kishore in Lucknow on Friday morning. Hours later, police arrested three men — Ajay Rawat (32), Ankit Verma (27) and Shamim alias Baba (21).
The house was vacant and at times used by aides of the minister’s son, Vikas Kishore.
JCP (crime) Akash Kulhary claimed the murder of Vinay was the result of a gambling dispute. Around 2am, a group of six people — Ajay, Ankit, Shamim and two others, Saurabh Rawat (40) and Arun alias Bunty (35) — began playing cards and betting money, police said. “The victim lost Rs 12,000 and he abruptly stopped the game. Later, a verbal spat ensued,” the JCP added.
The three accused grew furious and a fistfight broke out between them and Vinay. Amit picked up a pistol from below the bed while the two other accused held Vinay. He then shot Vinay from point-blank range, the JCP claimed.
“The .32 pistol used in the crime belonged to Vikas Kishore and was recovered from the spot. A recommendation for the cancellation of his licence has been made,” the officer said.
The three men tried to flee but locals had spotted them and informed UP 112. Later, based on CCTV footage and airport records, they were arrested, the police said.
Police said Vinay Srivastava used to stay with Vikas since the 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections in the state and recently had got a car workshop opened on a property belonging to the minister’s son.
A Mahindra Thar purchased in the name of Vinay’s family was also used by Vikas. Among those arrested, Shamim worked as a driver while Ajay and Ankit used to oversee work for Vikas relating to property and other matters. Vikas is vice-president of BJP’s Anusuchit Morcha for Awadh region.
Earlier in the day, minister Kaushal Kishore said his son Vikas Kishore was in Delhi to look after his ailing wife at the time of the incident and was returning to Lucknow. He assured reporters the police would investigate the matter thoroughly and bring the guilty to justice.
The house was vacant and at times used by aides of the minister’s son, Vikas Kishore.
JCP (crime) Akash Kulhary claimed the murder of Vinay was the result of a gambling dispute. Around 2am, a group of six people — Ajay, Ankit, Shamim and two others, Saurabh Rawat (40) and Arun alias Bunty (35) — began playing cards and betting money, police said. “The victim lost Rs 12,000 and he abruptly stopped the game. Later, a verbal spat ensued,” the JCP added.
The three accused grew furious and a fistfight broke out between them and Vinay. Amit picked up a pistol from below the bed while the two other accused held Vinay. He then shot Vinay from point-blank range, the JCP claimed.
“The .32 pistol used in the crime belonged to Vikas Kishore and was recovered from the spot. A recommendation for the cancellation of his licence has been made,” the officer said.
The three men tried to flee but locals had spotted them and informed UP 112. Later, based on CCTV footage and airport records, they were arrested, the police said.
Police said Vinay Srivastava used to stay with Vikas since the 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections in the state and recently had got a car workshop opened on a property belonging to the minister’s son.
A Mahindra Thar purchased in the name of Vinay’s family was also used by Vikas. Among those arrested, Shamim worked as a driver while Ajay and Ankit used to oversee work for Vikas relating to property and other matters. Vikas is vice-president of BJP’s Anusuchit Morcha for Awadh region.
Earlier in the day, minister Kaushal Kishore said his son Vikas Kishore was in Delhi to look after his ailing wife at the time of the incident and was returning to Lucknow. He assured reporters the police would investigate the matter thoroughly and bring the guilty to justice.