Uttar Pradesh: Couple held for killing nephew found in 'objectionable condition' with girl
Bahraich (UP) (PTI): The police here have arrested a man and his wife for allegedly strangling their 22-year-old visiting nephew to death after finding him in an "objectionable condition" with a girl from their family, officials said on Friday.
The body of Bhanu Pratap alias Sudhir was found on March 29 near a school outside Dharmanpur village in a sack with a rope tied around his neck.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Durga Prasad Tiwari told reporters Friday that Bhanu, a resident of Aurahi village in the district, was visiting his maternal uncle, Chetram Gautam, in Dharmanpur when the alleged incident happened.
Bhanu's father has accused Chetram and his family of the alleged murder, the ASP said.
Tiwari said that police investigation, which involved analysing CCTV footage, mobile records, call details, witness statements, and circumstantial evidence, pointed to Chetram and his wife, Sundari Devi, as the perpetrators.
"The couple allegedly took this step after finding Bhanu in an 'objectionable condition' with a young girl from their family," the officer stated.
"During interrogation, the accused (couple) confessed to the crime, admitting they stuffed Bhanu's body in a sack, tied a rope around his neck to mislead investigators, and disposed it off near a government school. They carried the body on a motorcycle," the officer added.
ASP Tiwari said a post-mortem examination was conducted.
The police conducted a thorough investigation and arrested the couple on Thursday, subsequently sending them to jail.
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Bhojshala case: Disputed structure built from remains of pre-existing temples, claims ASI
Indore (PTI): The ASI has told the Madhya Pradesh High Court that a massive structure dating back to the Paramara kings' rule existed at the disputed Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex, and the current structure was built from the remains of temples.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) made the claim on Tuesday based on its 98-day scientific survey and over 2,000-page report.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex is protected by the ASI.
During the hearing before Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi of the HC's Indore bench, Additional Solicitor General Sunil Kumar Jain, representing the ASI, presented a detailed account of the scientific survey conducted two years ago at the complex.
Referring to the ASI's survey report, he said, "Retrieved architectural remains, sculptural fragments, large slabs of inscriptions with literary texts, Nagakarnika inscriptions on pillars, etc, suggest that a large structure associated with literary and educational activities existed at the site. Based on scientific investigations and archaeological remains recovered during the investigations, this pre-existing structure can be dated to the Paramara period."
It can be said that the existing structure was made from the parts of earlier temples, based on scientific investigations, survey and archaeological excavations conducted, study and analysis of retrieved finds, study of architectural remains, sculptures, and inscriptions, art and sculptures, Jain said quoting the report.
Summarising the report, he also drew the court's attention to the fact that the archaeological study identifies that many architectural components, such as pillars and beams, were originally part of temple structures before being repurposed for a mosque.
"The evidence of this transition includes Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions that were damaged or hidden, alongside sculptures of deities and animals that were often mutilated or defaced," Jain contended.
The report also states that "all Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions are older than the Arabic and Persian inscriptions, indicating that users or engravers of the Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions occupied the place earlier".
In light of the Muslim side's earlier objections, the bench wanted to know why there were some discrepancies in the ASI's responses regarding the status of the disputed complex in the cases filed over the years.
The Additional Solicitor General argued that earlier studies of the complex involved only officials, while the current survey involved scientists and the use of advanced technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
The hearing in the Bhojshala case will continue on Wednesday.
The high court has been regularly hearing four petitions and one writ appeal regarding the religious nature of the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex since April 6.
