Bantu’s kin accuse builder of hatching conspiracy

Are cops trying to shield Siraj Iqbal, a renowned builder of the state capital? The family of Samajwadi Party corporator of Narhi, Atul Yadav alias Bantu, who is struggling for his life after being shot at in head on Sunday, has in its FIR accused the builder of hatching a conspiracy to eliminate Bantu. However, the city police officials are not ready to accept this claim.

The family’s allegation was also backed with the confession of history-sheeter, Shiv Yadav, who along with his accomplice Vaishnav, was arrested by police on Monday.

Shiv had confessed before reporters that the builder’s two associates - Shaan Alam and Mundar - had provided him the country-made firearm used in the crime about three months ago. Shiv said he was carrying the firearm with him since then and waiting for a chance to attack Bantu.

While the city crime branch cops have taken Shaan and Mundar in custody to interrogate them further, the builder has not been quizzed over the issue. Cops said that the builder was not found at his house and raids were going on to trace him.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP), Rajesh Pandey had said on Monday that after the confession of Shiv, there was no doubt about the real accused.

However, the SSP failed to explain why the builder was being given special advantage. When asked if police would arrest the builder for interrogation, the SSP said that the matter required further investigation.

“When the assailant, Shiv Yadav has confessed that the firearm was given to him by the builder’s associates then there is no justification of giving clean chit to him without proper investigation,” said a close associate of Bantu requesting anonymity.

“This clearly suggests that Shaan and Mundar incited him (Shiv) to commit the crime. And what else could be the intention other than the builder’s interest behind attack on Bantu,” he added while apprehending even he could be targeted after attack on Bantu.

Shiv had also alleged that Bantu used to obstruct construction of buildings in his ward area. He even alleged that Bantu had taken `30 lakh and a flat from the builder for giving permission to carry out construction work in Narhi.

A cop associated with the crime branch said that these facts were enough to probe the builder’s role but senior officials were not daring to touch him because of his political and bureaucratic connections. He said that the probe suggested that Bantu’s opponents used Shiv to settle their personal scores with the corporator.

Bantu was shot at from point blank range on Sunday while he was attending a funeral near his house. A stampede-like situation erupted following the shooting and taking advantage of the situation, the assailant disappeared in a narrow lane of Narhi.

ARRESTED HISTORYSHEETER CONFESSED THAT THE BUILDER’S ASSOCIATES HAD GIVEN HIM FIREARM USED IN THE CRIME