Two ascetics were allegedly murdered and their bodies set on fire inside a Shiva temple in Sutha village of Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, police said on Thursday. A man identified as Sumit has been detained for questioning in connection with the deaths.
According to police, local residents noticed smoke coming from the temple at around 7am. When they reached the spot, they found the body of one ascetic burning inside the premises. The remains of the second man had been badly charred, with police describing the body as reduced to a skeleton.
The deceased have been identified as Gopal Das, 70, and Bihari Das, 60. Gopal Das had reportedly been living at the temple for nearly two decades and was responsible for looking after the premises. Bihari Das had recently joined him and had been staying at the temple for around a month as his disciple.
The circumstances surrounding their deaths are being investigated. Police are examining whether the murders were linked to a dispute over land surrounding the temple.
Family members of Gopal Das said he had started living at the temple after the death of his wife. His brother, Ramdulare, said Gopal had recently returned home after suffering an injury while travelling. He had earlier told his family that he wanted to travel to Gaya in Bihar.
Bihari Das’s nephew, Pradeep Singh, alleged that Sumit was behind the killings. He claimed that the accused had previously attacked the two ascetics. These allegations are yet to be established by the police investigation.
Local residents also made serious allegations against the detained man. They claimed Sumit had a criminal background and had recently been released from jail. According to residents, he allegedly wanted the two ascetics to leave the temple so that he could gain control over land in the area.
Residents further alleged that Sumit had previously been involved in an incident in which a car was set on fire. They claimed that his family had helped secure his release from jail after assurances that he would not repeat such behaviour.
Police have not yet confirmed these allegations or established a motive. Superintendent of Police Diksha Bhavre said Sumit had been detained and was being questioned.
Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances leading up to the deaths, the alleged land dispute and any previous confrontations involving the ascetics and the detained man. The police will also need to establish how the fire started and whether it was deliberately used to destroy evidence or conceal the nature of the crime.
The deaths have shocked residents of Sutha village, where the temple and the two ascetics were known to locals. Further details are expected as the police investigation progresses.
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