Lucknow: Hours after the body of one Vinay Srivastava, 25, was found inside a Thakurganj house belonging to Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs Kaushal Kishore in Lucknow on Friday morning, police arrested three men, identified as 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.
Joint commissioner of police (crime) Akash Kulhary said that the murder of Vinay was the result of a gambling dispute. Around 2 am, a group of six persons – 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 got furious and a fistfight broke out between them and Vinay. Amit took out the pistol from below the bed and as the two other accused held him tightly, he shot Vinay from a point-blank range, said the JCP.
“The .32 bore 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,” said the officer.
The three men tried to flee the scene, but locals had spotted them and informed UP 112. Later, based on the CCTV footage and airport records, they were arrested, said the police.
Police said that 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 works of Vikas relating to property and others. Vikas is vice-president of BJP’s Anusuchit Morcha of Awadh region.
Earlier in the day, minister Kaushal Kishore said that his son Vikas Kishore was in Delhi to look after his ailing wife at the time of the incident and is returning to Lucknow. He assured reporters that the police will investigate the matter thoroughly and bring the guilty to justice.
