Maharashtra Chemist Stabbed To Death Over Social Media Post Supporting Nupur Sharma, 7 Arrested

Umesh Prahladrao Kolhe, a chemist, was stabbed to death on June 21 in Amravati, a week before two men slashed to death Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Rajasthan's Udaipur.

Nupur Sharma. (Image Source: File Photo)

In Maharashtra's Amravati, a 54-year-old pharmacist was stabbed to death after reportedly posting a social media post in support of suspended BJP politician Nupur Sharma, news agency PTI reported. 

Umesh Prahladrao Kolhe, a chemist, was stabbed to death on June 21 in Amravati, a week before two men slashed to death Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Rajasthan's Udaipur.

"Union Home Minister Amit Shah directs National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe into the killing of an Amravati-based shop owner Umesh Kolhe on June 21st in Maharashtra after he wrote a post in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma on Facebook," sources were quoted by ANI on its official Twitter handle.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah directs National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe into the killing of an Amravati-based shop owner Umesh Kolhe on June 21st in Maharashtra after he wrote a post in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma on Facebook: Sources

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2022

Local BJP leaders wrote to police about Umesh Prahladrao Kolhe's death, stating that he was murdered to "take retribution and make an example."

Meanwhile, the Police have arrested the seventh accused related to the murder incident from Nagpur, Maharashtra, Nilima Araj, Police Inspector, City Kotwali PS, Amravati said.

"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," an official of the City Kotwali police station informed PTI. 

Following that, Irfan Khan devised a plan to destroy Kolhe and enlisted the help of five people. He offered them Rs 10,000 as well as a safe getaway in a vehicle.

The incident happened between 10 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. on June 21, when Kolhe was riding his two-wheeler home after shutting his business, he claimed, adding that his son Sanket (27) and wife Vaishnavi were accompanying him in another car.

"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.

(With Inputs From Agencies)