Stealers of bodies arrested

Lucknow, Aug 16 (UNI) Police today arrested two people from the city outskirts for allegedly stealing corpses from graves.

Police said Umesh and Brijpal, residents of neighbouring Hardoi district, were arrested from Malihabad area.

The two are accused of digging up graves to steal bodies and selling them to a doctor for Rs 50,000 each. The doctor, absconding so far, used to sell them to a yet to be identified person for Rs 2.5 lakh each.

Police investigators were not yet sure about the ultimate buyer of these bodies. ''It could be a medical college or even a tantrik,'' said an official.

Most of the victims had died as lightning struck them. The missing bodies had created a furore in several adjoining districts, including Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur and Hardoi.

Officials said the gang could have many more members and could be a part of a syndicate involved in the heinous crime.

UNI NAB MB KD HS1752