Amravati chemist's murder: 10 things we know so far about the case

NEW DELHI: On June 21, 54-year-old chemist Umesh Kolhe was stabbed in the neck in Amravati city of Maharashtra while he was heading home from his shop. Five people have been arrested so far in connection with the murder. The case has now been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The police have said that one of the motives for the murder could be that the victim had recently shared social media posts in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma, who had made controversial remarks about the Prophet.

The murder happened exactly a week before a tailor was gruesomely murdered by two men in a busy Udaipur market. The killing has also been linked to the victim, Kanhaiya Lal, sharing social media posts in support of Sharma.
Both the cases are now being investigated by the NIA, which may also probe any involvement of organisations and international linkages.
Here are 10 key facts about the Amravati murder case:
* On June 21 around 10.30pm, Kolhe was going home on a two-wheeler after closing his shop when he was stopped by two motorcycle-borne men.
* A youth alighted from the motorcycle and stabbed Kolhe in his neck with a sharp weapon. Kolhe later succumbed to injuries.
* The assailants fled without taking any valuables or even his mobile phone.
* The victim's brother Mahesh said that Kolhe had two bags with him, which the assailants did not touch.
* Police have so far arrested five persons, Mudassir Ahmed Shaikh Ibrahim (22), Shahrukh Pathan Khan (23), Abdul Taufeeq Tasleem (24) , Shoeb Khan (29), and Ateef Rashid (23).
* The police have seized the knife used in the crime and obtained CCTV footage that captured the sequence of events.
* Mudassir and Shahrukh, who were seen in CCTV footage while conducting recce, were arrested on June 23. Abdul and Shoeb the next day and Rashid on June 25.
* All, except Abdul, have no offences or crime records. Abdul was earlier booked for a skirmish at a mosque.
* Search is on to trace the prime accused Irfan Khan (32), who runs an NGO.
* An official of the City Kotwali police station claimed that Kolhe had shared a post on some WhatsApp groups in support of Nupur Sharma. Kolhe's family also claims to have come across his social media forwards in support of Sharma and also condemning ‘love jihad’.
(With inputs from agencies)