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New Delhi/ Amravati (Maharashtra): Union Ministry of Home Affairs has handed over the investigation of the case relating to the barbaric killing of Umesh Kolhe in Amravati Maharashtra by radicalised elements on 21 June to National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier directed NIA to take over the probe into the killing of the Amravati-based shop owner Umesh Kolhe in Maharashtra after he too had written a post in support of Nupur Sharma on Facebook.

Few days after this heinous crime, Kanhaiya Lal was murdered by two Muslim men in Udaipur, Rajasthan, after he had extended support to suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.

The conspiracy behind the killing of Umesh Kolhe, involvement of organisations and international linkages would be thoroughly investigated by NIA.

The motive behind Kolhe’s murder is revenge for his post in support of Nupur Sharma, according to Amravati Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Vikram Sali.

As per latest information five accused -Muddsir Ahemad, Shahrukh Pathan, Abdul Thoufique, Shoaib Khan and Atib Rashid – have been arrested in the Amravati murder case and sent to Police custody. They’ve been booked under IPC sec 302 (murder), 120 B (criminal conspiracy). Hunt is on for the mastermind, the sixth accused, Dr Yusuf Khan.

Umesh Kolhe’s brother Mahesh Kolhe told a news agency that his brother had forwarded some messages about Nupur Sharma in some Whatsapp groups but they are unable to understand why was he killed because of a few forwarded messages? He went on to inform that he had not forwarded these messages to anyone individually.

On June 21 night, while Umesh Kolhe was returning home after shutting his shop, some people attacked him with a knife and brutally killed him on the spot.