Shashi murder case: absconding Seema Azad held

Faizabad, June 9 (UNI) The infamous Shashi murder case, which involved the name of former Uttar Pradesh food processing minister Anand Sen Yadav, took a new twist with the arrest of Seema Azad -- an accused in the case.

Seema was apprehended from Industrial city Kanpur last evening and was produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Shailesh Kumar Tiwari today.

The Court sent Seema in judicial custody and ordered her presentation on June 21.

She was absconding for the past nine months.

Superintendent of Police (SP) and investigating officer Sharad Chandra Pandey said ''cops first got hold of Seema's brother Hridey Ram Azad and on his directions Seema was arrested from Kanpur.'' However, Hridey was today released on bail.

Shashi, a third year law student of Saket Degree College, went missing on October 22, 2007 from Faizabad.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA and former state minister Anand Sen Yadav had to resign from the Mayawati cabinet after the victim's father alleged his role in the case.

Interestingly, when the Mayawati cabinet had taken oath of office in May 2007, Anand could not be sworn in as a minister as he was behind bars in a murder case. He took oath at a later date.

His father Mitra Sen Yadav, an MP, was allegedly involved in a case of human trafficking.

Vijay, the former chauffeur of Anand, was the prime accused in the case. His different statements had further puzzled the case.

During interrogation, Vijay sometimes claimed that Shashi committed suicide by jumping into Gomti river in Sultanpur district. At other times, he confessed that he himself pushed her into the river.

On October 31, 2007, he had surrendered following charges against him.

On the instruction of higher officials, investigating officer Sharad Chandra Pandey had submitted an application before the CJM on November 22 demanding narco analysis and polygraphy tests on Vijay, who is also said to be the relative of the ex-minister.

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