Chandra Shekhar Aazad’s upper caste attackers claim they shot him over his activities
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Lucknow: The assailants who have been arrested in connection with the shooting of Bhim Army leader Chandra Shekhar Aazad are said to be belonging to the upper caste Rajput community claimed they attacked Aazad over his alleged activities against their community and his statements on social media.
The assailants, identified as Vikas alias Vicky, Prashant, Lavish alias Abhishek, and Vikas, expressed their anger towards the Bhim Army and Chandra Shekhar Aazad.
The arrest of the four suspects, who are in their twenties, came as a joint operation between the Haryana Special Task Force and the Uttar Pradesh police near a dhaba in Shahzadpur, Haryana. Police discovered that three of the accused had previous criminal records, including charges of attempted murder, assault, and intimidation, and were out on bail at the time of the attack.
According to the Haryana police, the accused mentioned specific incidents that fuelled their resentment, such as an alleged attack on the Maharana Pratap Bhawan in Malikpur and a rally of Rajputs in Sabirpur, both in Uttar Pradesh. These incidents, coupled with Aazad's statements on social media, further incited their rage.
The investigation revealed that one of the suspects, Vikas from Karnal, had familial ties to Rankhandi village in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. This connection introduced him to the other youths involved in the crime.
Chandra Shekhar Aazad sustained a bullet injury in the attack and was promptly rushed to a nearby hospital. The police have seized two country-made pistols, cartridges, and a car believed to have been used in the incident based on information provided by the accused.
The accused have been charged with attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and intimidation, and also face charges under the SC/ST Act. The Uttar Pradesh police will lead the final interrogation and investigation since the attack occurred within their jurisdiction.
Residents of Rankhandi village, including village pradhan Pramod Rana, have claimed that the arrested individuals had a reputation for creating trouble and engaging in criminal activities. It has also been revealed that none of the accused had completed education beyond the intermediate level and was involved in odd jobs.