Amethi village head’s hubby dies of burns

LUCKNOW: The husband of a Dalit village pradhan in Amethi suffered severe burns and died on way to hospital late Thursday in Bandoiya village under Munshiganj police station.
In his dying declaration, the victim, Arjun Kori, accused his aides-turned-rivals of kidnapping him, dousing him with inflammables and setting him ablaze. Three men and a minor were arrested and efforts are underway to nab others, said police.Amethi MP Smriti Irani expressed shock over the incident and said the guilty will be brought to justice.
Kori’s wife and Bandoiya village pradhan, Chhotka, stated in her FIR that around 6 pm on Thursday, Arjun went to buy vegetables and then did not return home. She informed the inspector of Munshiganj police station that her husband was missing. Around 11.30 pm, police asked her to visit Bhetua community health centre, where he was being treated for burns.
In his dying declaration before his wife, doctor and other officials, Kori stated Rajesh Mishra, Krishna Tiwari, Ashutosh, Ravishankar, Santosh Kumar Tiwari abducted him and pressurized him to cough up money and later torched him. After the accused fled, villagers informed UP-112 and Kori was rushed to a local health centre.
Superintendent of police, Amethi, Dinesh Singh told TOI that Kori died while being taken to Lucknow Trauma Centre. Three accused, including a minor named by the victim have been arrested. Two others not associated with the crime have also been named and they would be questioned, he said.