UP DGP’s press conference: Confirms Gujarat ATS arrests, says suspects were radicalised and planned Kamlesh Tiwari’s murder

Screenshot of the CCTV footage of Kamlesh Tiwari murder suspects

The DGP of UP police held a press conference in Lucknow today over the murder of Kamlesh Tiwari and the subsequent probe launched by them. Tiwari was murdered by two persons at his Khurshidbag Colony house yesterday.

Gujarat ATS had arrested three persons named Faizan Pathan, Khurshid Ahmed Pathan and a Maulvi named Mohsin Sheikh in connection with the murders. Khurshid is also stated to be a computer expert.

https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1185436776778723328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
UP DGP just now confirmed the arrests. While Maulana Mohsin works in a saree shop in Surat, Faizan and Khurshid work in a shoe factory and tailor shop respectively. Two more suspects were arrested who had been released after initial interrogation, the DGP has stated.

One of the people let go after an initial investigation was Rashid Pathan’s brother and another was Gaurav Tiwari, a Hindu Mahasabha worker. The suspects had allegedly called up Tiwari and stated that they are interested to join the organisation and work in Gujarat.

Earlier, media reports have stated that the arrested suspects have already admitted that they planned Tiwari’s murder for his 2015 remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

DGP has stated that the UP police is trying to bring the suspects to Lucknow. He added that Khurshid Pathan was the mastermind of the planning. They were supported by the Maulvi Sheikh, who had stated that the murder of Kamlesh was necessary and will be religiously sanctioned because Tiwari had made derogatory statements against Prophet Muhammad.

The DGP has also has stated that as of now, they cannot confirm the affiliation of the suspects with any terrorist organisation. He has stated that the suspects were radicalised after the 2015 controversy after Tiwari’s statements.

The FIR by UP police has named Maulana Anwar-ul-Haq and Mohammed Mufti Naeem Kazmi. They have been detained by UP police last night. They had made calls for Tiwari’s death and had placed a 51 lakh bounty on him.

Read: UP ATS confirms: Maulana Anwar-ul-Haq and Mohammed Mufti Naeem Kazmi detained and being interrogated in Kamlesh Tiwari murder

The DGP also claimed that Kamlesh Tiwari was provided with a gunman and a personal security guard. He states that there have been no lapses from the police in providing security to him.

Media reports have stated that the three suspects have been arrested at the Limbayat area in Surat. All are in the 21-30 age group. The oldest suspect has been reportedly staying in Dubai and has been back in India 6 months ago. The Conspirators have now confessed that they have planned Tiwari’s murder over his 2015 remarks calling Prophet Muhammad gay.

OpIndia Staff: Staff reporter at OpIndia