Godman Sant Gyaneshwar's killer held in Varanasi

Varanasi, Sep 7 (UNI) A contract killer involved in the February 10 last killing of mafioso-turned-godman Sant Gyaneshwar and his seven followers, has been arrested alongwith an aide from the Shivpur area here.

Police Superintendent (Rural) L K Singh told newspersons here today that Pappu Yadav alias Sandip, a resident of Dashwashamedh area of Varanasi and his aide Anand Gupta, hailing from neighbouring Bhadohi district were arrested near the Central Jail under Shivpur police station late last night after a brief encounter.

Two country-made revolvers and a motor cycle were seized from the arrested criminals.

On interrogation, Pappu -- a contract killer working for Babu Yadav gang -- admitted of committing the killing of mafioso turned godman Sant Gyaneshwar and seven followers in the Handia area of Allahabad district, while Anand conceded of involvement in the murder of a trader Anil Verma in Assi area of Varanasi.

Mr Singh said Pappu disclosed that in all 11 criminals had committed the high-profile killing for a Rs 23 lakh contract given to them allegedly by the brother of a ruling Samajwadi Party MLA from Sultanpur district.

The mafioso turned godman Sant Gyaneshwar, himself accused in 16 criminal cases, was killed alongwith his seven followers when their Varanasi bound motorcade was ambushed by criminals armed with automatic weapons near Handia (Allahabad) on February 10 last.

One of the accused Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Dabbu Singh, carrying a reward of Rs 10,000 on his head was gunned down by the Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh Police in the neighbouring Jaunpur district on February 23 last. The prime accused of the killing Akhilesh Singh alias Nate is presently in jail.

UNI ARS NAB PA MIR BST1906