Smriti aide shot dead in Amethi

Amethi (UP), May 26: In the first incident of postpoll violence in Uttar Pradesh, a close aide of newly-elected Amethi MP Smriti Irani was shot dead by two unidentified men, with police not ruling out the possibility of it being a “political murder”.

Surendra Singh, 50, a former head of Baraulia village, around 25 km from the Amethi district headquarters, was shot at around 11.30 pm on Saturday.

Mr Singh was referred to a Lucknow hospital, but succumbed during treatment, additional superintendent of police Daya Ram said.

Director general of police Om Prakash Singh said seven people had been taken into custody and they were being interrogated.

“We have come to know about old enmity. We are also finding out if there was any political enmity. In initial investigation, we have got some vital clues,” the DGP said in Lucknow.

“UP police teams are conducting a very intensive investigation. We have also got important evidence through electronic surveillance,” the officer said. “I am hopeful that in the next 12 hours, we will solve the case.”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the DGP to take effective action and report back to him, a senior official said, adding that the inspector general of Lucknow had been sent for monitoring the situation.

Irani, who was in Delhi, flew to Lucknow en route to Amethi, where she met Surendra Singh’s family and consoled them.

The BJP leader and state minister Mohsin Raza participated in the funeral rites, which was attended by a larger number of people.