Whodunnit? Murder At Union Minister’s House; Son’s Pistol Recovered From Spot

Lucknow: A man was shot dead at Union Minister Kaushal Kishore’s house here on Friday.

Police said a licensed pistol allegedly belonging to the minister’s son Vikas Kishore was recovered from the spot in Thakurganj area of Lucknow.

The minister claimed his son was not present when the alleged murder occurred as he had gone to Delhi.

“People involved in the crime will not be spared. We are standing in support of family members of the deceased. I have no idea who was at the residence when the incident occurred,” the minister said.

However, family members of Vinay Srivastava, the victim, said he was a close associate of Vikas and was murdered in a planned manner.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Lucknow) Rahul Raj confirmed that Srivastava died of a bullet injury. He said it has come to light after a preliminary inquiry that six people had come to the minister’s house on Thursday night and had dinner together.

“Later, a firing took place in the house. The pistol recovered from the spot is said to belong to Vikas Kishore. CCTV footage from cameras installed at the place is being collected for investigation,” the DCP informed.

An FIR has been lodged based on a complaint filed by the victim’s family.

Three persons — Ajay Rawat, Ankit Verma and Shamim Gaji — have been detained as they were in the minister’s house when the crime took place.

Vikas Srivastava, the victim’s brother, told mediapersons that the minister’s son Vikas Kishore may be involved in the murder.

“Vikas (Kishore) used to take my brother with him wherever he goes. But Vikas did not take my brother to Delhi with him and also did not take his pistol (with him). This shows there was some planning. My brother could not kill himself,” the victim’s brother said.

“When my brother was shot dead, three men, namely Ajay Rawat, Shamim Baba and Ankit Verma, were present at the house. I believe arguments took place after which my brother was shot dead. The house belongs to Vikas Kishore and my brother used to stay there. Vikas was not present when the incident occurred but the pistol used in the murder belongs to him,” added the deceased’s brother.