Another murder over support for Nupur Sharma? Amravati chemist's killing sparks row

The incident is being compared with the Udaipur murder in which tailor Kanhaiya Lal was killed in an apparent act of 'vengeance'

A chemist in Amravati district of Maharashtra was stabbed to death after he allegedly shared a social media post in support of Nupur Sharma, whose remarks on Prophet Mohammed snowballed into a major political issue.

The deceased was identified as 54-year-old Umesh Kolhe.

The incident took place on June 21, a week before the June 28 incident in Udaipur, when two men killed a tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli over the same reason.

The Amravati police is investigating the murder, while the Centre has asked the National Investigation Agency to take over the case.

“The investigation of the case relating to the barbaric killing of Umesh Kolhe in Amravati Maharashtra on June 21 to NIA. The conspiracy behind the killing, involvement of organisations and international linkages would be thoroughly investigated,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in New Delhi.

Read | Udaipur murder accused filmed act for ISIS, NIA to seek custodial remand

After the incident, an FIR was lodged in City Kotwali police station.

“So far six persons have been arrested,” Amravati Police Commissioner Dr Arti Singh said. “Prima facie, it appears like that,” she said when specifically asked whether the man was killed because he shared a post related to Nupur Sharma.

The incident took place when Kolhe was going home on a two-wheeler after closing his shop while 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.

Kolhe’s son Sanket rushed him to the hospital, where he passed away.

Amravati MP Navneet Kaur Rana wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding an investigation into the case.

Kolhe’s son Sanket and brother Mahesh said that the mobile phone of the victim is with the police for investigation.

“We are simple business people,” said Sanket. “Police have asked us everything…whether there is any issue of money, property dispute or something else…but there is nothing like that,” said Mahesh.