Monetary dispute leads to BJP MLA's murder

Khandwa, MP, Oct 21 (UNI) Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party legislator and former minister Kishorilal Verma (63), who represented this district's Pandhana constituency, was slain today along with his wife by a building contractor over a monetary dispute.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan condoled the couple's demise.

''MLAs' security will be elaborately reviewed,'' he assured.

''At about 0900 hrs, Mr Verma and his wife Meena (58) had gone for a ritual bath and worship at Khedighat, near Badwah township's Mortakka about 70 km from this district headquarters,'' said Superintendent of Police K D Parashar.

Contractor Chandu was already lurking in the area and first assaulted the legislator with a stabbing weapon and then targeted Ms Meena.

A few persons, who were bathing at the ghat, caught the accused and handed him over to police personnel stationed there.

''Today being Diwali, Mr Verma had granted his security guard a holiday. Chandu also ensured that the MLA's driver was away from the scene,'' Mr Parashar added.

The police said that Mr Verma's water pouch-manufacturing unit was under construction near this district's Korgala village. Chandu had taken the contract for the project and the dispute involved Rs 13,000. The accused alleged that the MLA owed him the amount.

''The dispute was going on for a month. However, Chandu had already been paid but did not pay his labourers,'' said the deceased's son Veerendra.

Labelling the double homicide as a personal dispute, local MP Nandkumar Singh Chouhan said that it was no political conspiracy.

Teacher-turned-political leader Verma, who represented the Scheduled Castes. was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He served as Minister of State for School Education in the Sunderlal Patwa government and was also Commissioner (Scouts).

UNI Team-AC 1707