Manjunath murder case: Witness turns hostile

Lakhimpur Kheri, Sep 21 (UNI) A witness in Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) marketing official V Manjunath murder case today turned hostile.

The prosecution had produced two witnesses in the case before the district court judge.

However, witness Kamta Prasad Kushwaha retracted his earlier words saying he had given the statement under police pressure and claimed he had no knowledge of the incident.

The other witness, IOC official Rajkumar Zutsi said Manjunath was an honest officer and had taken tough action against Monu Mittal -- the prime accused in the case -- when fuel adulteration was detected at the latter's petrol outlet.

Zutsi said it was the prime motive for Manjunath's murder.

Meanwhile, the recording of statement in the case would continue tomorrow.

Manjunath's bullet riddled body was found in the nearby Sitapur district on November 19, 2005.

The Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (IIM-L) alumni was an upright government servant and had taken a tough stand against adulteration of fuel at some petrol outlets in the district.

UNI XC/VS MIR RS1858