Amravati: Umesh Kolhe's killing was meant to strike terror, promote enmity on grounds of religion, says NIA

​​Kolhe was killed in eastern Maharashtra's Amravati on June 21, allegedly for sharing a post supporting suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma whose remarks about Prophet Mohammad had triggered a huge controversy.
umesh kolhe

File Photo of Amravati-based shop owner Umesh Kolhe who was stabbed to death, in Amaravati.

Photo : ANI
Mumbai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday said the recent killing of Umesh Kolhe in Maharashtra's Amravati was aimed at "striking terror" amongst a section of people and "promoting enmity" on grounds of religion.
It also said the accused arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of the pharmacist were involved in terrorist activities.
In its FIR related to the Amravati killing, the NIA stated, "Killing of Maharashtra's Amravati's Umesh Kolhe was an act of a larger conspiracy by a group of persons who have inter-alia conspired amongst themselves to strike terror amongst a section of people of India and with their assertions attempted to promote enmity on grounds of religion."
"Kolhe's murder was carried out as part of the conspiracy to terrorise a section of the people of India and the case may have national and international linkages," further read the FIR.
Meanwhile, the special court for National Investigation Agency cases yesterday sent the seven accused in NIA custody till July 15 after hearing the arguments.
While the NIA sought the accused's custody for 15 days, special judge A K Lahoti remanded them in the custody of the federal probe agency till July 15.
There was "incremental substance" against the accused to show they were involved in terrorist activities, the NIA told the court.
The accused had no personal enmity with Kolhe but their intention was to terrorize people, the prosecution said.
Kolhe was killed in eastern Maharashtra's Amravati on June 21, allegedly for sharing a post supporting suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma whose remarks about Prophet Mohammad had triggered a huge controversy.
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