Mahant Nareshnath, the main accused in the Ankit-Israr murder case in Baghpat, has been arrested in Kolkata. He murdered two friends and buried their bodies in the temple premises. After the crime, he hid as a beggar.

Baghpat Double Murder: Police have arrested Mahant Baba Nareshnath, the main accused in the infamous Ankit-Israr murder case in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, from Kolkata. According to police, after killing the two friends, the accused buried their bodies in the Ganesh temple premises and covered the pit with tiles to hide the evidence. After the crime, the accused traveled to Haridwar, Nepal, and then Kolkata, where he disguised himself as a beggar and lived outside the temple to conceal his identity.

The bodies of both were found during the excavation of the temple premises.

The case concerns the Ganesh temple located in Lahachaura village, under the Chandninagar police station area of ​​Baghpat. On July 25th, Ankit, a resident of Singauli Taga village, and his friend Israr left home but never returned. Following a complaint from their family, the police launched a search for them. During the investigation, based on mobile phone locations and other clues, the police suspected the Ganesh temple complex. Following this, excavations were conducted on August 13th. The bodies of the two friends were recovered underground. According to the police, tiles had been laid over the bodies to conceal them.

Mahant Nareshnath was accused of being the main accused

The police investigation revealed the temple's priest, Nareshnath, as the main accused. Police had already arrested two of his disciples, while Nareshnath fled after the incident. Police announced a reward of 25,000 rupees for his arrest. Several police teams were deployed to search for the accused, and his possible hideouts were being continuously monitored.

From Haridwar reached Nepal and then Kolkata

According to police, after the incident, Nareshnath traveled to Haridwar and took a dip in the Ganges. He then went to Nepal. After floods in Nepal, he returned to India and reached Kolkata. Police found his last known location in Bidhannagar, West Bengal. When the team arrived, the accused was disguised as a beggar to conceal his identity and was living outside a temple.

Police arrested a man disguised as a beggar

Based on the location, a team from Baghpat police cordoned off the area and arrested Nareshnath. According to the police, action has been taken against the accused under sections 103(1) and 238A/3(5) of the Indian Penal Code. Following his arrest, he was produced in court, where he was sent to jail.

The reason given for the love affair during interrogation

According to the police, during interrogation, Nareshnath confessed to having an affair with Ankit's sister. Police say Ankit was aware of this relationship and possessed photographs of the two. According to the police, Ankit was pressuring Nareshnath with these photographs and also revealed the possibility of extorting money. During interrogation, the accused allegedly spoke of plotting to eliminate Ankit out of fear of disrepute.

Claims of first giving drugged tea

According to the police, Nareshnath gave Ankit and Israr tea laced with sleeping pills. They were then murdered. Since Israr was with Ankit at the time of the incident, he also became the accused's target. Police claim that after the murders, the bodies were buried in the temple premises and tiles were laid over the top to conceal the evidence.

The case was in discussion since the double murder

The discovery of two bodies during excavations within the temple complex sparked widespread discussion throughout Baghpat. The primary challenge for the police was to apprehend the absconding Mahant. After a relentless search, his location was located in Kolkata, and the police took action and arrested him.

PC:Prabhat khabar