NIA invokes UAPA in killing of pharmacist in Amravati
The six people were taken into custody by Maharashtra police in Amravati on Saturday and are being interrogated jointly by NIA, police and central intelligence agencies.
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Amravati, July 4: The six people arrested for the murder of Amravati veterinary pharmacist Umesh Kolhe, including prime accused Irfan Khan, have been charged for terrorist activities by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Kolhe was murdered while he was on his way home. The assailants, who intercepted him near New Main High School, slit his throat with a knife and fled without taking any valuables or his mobile phone.
Kolhe was murdered for posting messages on social media in support of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who made controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammed, investigators said.
The agency has invoked sections 16, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, which deal with terrorist activities, besides sections 153A and 153B (promoting enmity on the lines of religion and caste), 302 (murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) under the IPC in its first information report.
The Union home ministry asked the central agency to look into “involvement of organisations and international linkages” in the killing of Kolhe, a 54-year-old pharmacist, on June 21. Similar charges have been added in the case taken up by NIA in the June 28 killing of a 47-year-old tailor by extremists in Rajasthan’s Udaipur city.
The six people were taken into custody by Maharashtra police in Amravati on Saturday and are being interrogated jointly by NIA, police and central intelligence agencies. On Sunday, a local court sent Irfan to police custody till July 7.
Kolhe was murdered for posting messages on social media in support of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who made controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammed, investigators said.