Meher to be cremated today

Lucknow, Mar 26 (UNI) The mortal remains of Meher Bhargava -- who was shot and critically injured by miscreants here last month after objecting to lewd remarks being passed on her daughter-in-law -- would be cremated today.

Ms Bhargava, wife of a Congress leader Luv Bhargava, had died of her wounds in a Delhi hospital yesterday.

Family sources said she would be buried at the local Parsi cremation grounds in the evening. Her body was flown in here this morning from New Delhi.

On February 28, a group of men -- Sachin Pahadi, Pramod Singh, Amit Singh and Jaiprakash had come down from the fourth floor rented flat of their friend K D Singh after a drinking session in Hazratganj area.

Sachin and Amit passed some objectionable remarks on Meher's daughter-in-law. At this, Meher, who was sitting in her vehicle scolded the two. When she asked them to apologise, Sachin whipped out a .32 bore pistol and allegedly shot her.

She was rushed to a local hospital by UP minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya who reached the spot on hearing gunshot.

The bullet got lodged in her body, affecting her vertebra.

She was partially paralysed and had to be flown to Delhi for better treatment.

Police investigations were slow as the accused were close to an Eastern UP mafia-politician. After the media turned the heat, police arrested the accused not involved directly with the incident.

Jaiprakash was the first one to be arrested. He used to cook for K D and his friends. After some dilly-dallying for a fortnight, the police arrested Pramod Singh.

Jaiprakash and Pramod informed the police that they lived in K D Singh's rented flat in Dilip Pur Towers in Hazratganj. Sachin and Amit had come to the house and they had a drinking session for two hours.

When they left, Pramod and Jaiprakash came down to go to a marriage party. They saw Sachin fire at Meher. Sachin Pahadi has another case of murder registered against him.

K D Singh also has several criminal cases against him, including attempt to murder. The police has announced a reward of Rs 2,500 on Sachin Pahadi.

A March 20 court order directed Pahadi to produce himself in court within 30 days failing which his property would be attached under Section 82 of IPC.

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