Muslim teacher shot dead in Bijnor; accused claims 'love jihad' motive
text_fields
Bijnor: A 43-year-old Muslim government primary school teacher was allegedly shot dead near his school in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district on Tuesday by a farmer who later surrendered to police and claimed that he killed the teacher because he believed he was promoting "love jihad".
The victim, Naushad Ahmed, was posted at a primary school in Purushottampur village. He was returning home from school in the afternoon when he was allegedly attacked.
According to police, the assailant had been waiting for Ahmed and opened fire when he arrived before fleeing the spot on a motorcycle.
Ahmed suffered multiple bullet injuries and was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The accused, identified as 32-year-old Gaurav Chaudhary, a farmer from Puranpur Garhi village, later surrendered at Nazibabad police station. He also handed over a country-made pistol allegedly used in the shooting.
According to Amar Ujala, Chaudhary allegedly told police that he had shot the teacher three times. He also allegedly accused Ahmed of being involved in "love jihad".
A police officer said that during his surrender, Chaudhary claimed Ahmed was actively promoting "love jihad".
Police, however, are also investigating a personal dispute that allegedly took place between the two men days before the shooting.
According to the preliminary police inquiry, Chaudhary's family had a close relationship with a local Dalit family.
After learning that a girl from the family was allegedly in a relationship with a local Muslim youth and had been seen with him, Chaudhary reportedly informed members of both families.
The couple was subsequently allegedly beaten and warned by their respective families.
Police said the young man later approached Ahmed and reported the matter to him.
Four days before the shooting, Ahmed allegedly confronted Chaudhary at a local market and slapped him in public.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Ahmed's killing, including the alleged personal dispute and the motive cited by the accused. Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
