Kasganj communal violence: SIT files chargesheets over murder, violence

Among those chargesheeted are prime accused Saleem and his two brothers Rashid and Wasim. They are prominent businessmen in Kasganj. Wasim was a member of a district industrial cell. Additional Superintendent of Police, Om Prakash Singh, who is heading the SIT, said, “The role of five other persons is being probed in the murder case. As per evidence collected against them, action would be taken.”

He added that police are yet to receive the ballistic report of the weapon used in the crime.

“The cartridge found in Chandan’s body and the weapon recovered using information provided by Saleem were sent to a laboratory for matching. After the report comes, it will be sent to the court,” said Singh.

According to Singh, 20 persons were named in the FIR filed in connection with the murder of Chandan Gupta. During the investigation, the role of nine more persons came to light. The police identified the accused on the basis of videos and footages of CCTV camera installed at houses and shop near the spot.

Meanwhile, the chargesheet in the case of violence names 36 accused, including 27 Muslims and nine Hindus. All accused are lodged in jail.

“The chargesheeted persons are accused of arson, violence, stone pelting and also firing on police party. An investigation was conducted into the incidents occurred before and after the murder of Abhishek Gupta. In the violence which occurred after the death, then station house officer of Kasganj police station Ritudaman Singh and constable Ankit Kumar suffered injuries due to stone pelting,” said investigating officer, Inspector Mohar Singh. According to Mohar, an FIR was filed by Ritudaman Singh against four named persons and others under IPC sections 147 (rioting), 307 (attempt to murder), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), among others. “During investigation, names of 32 persons came to light,” said Mohar.