The sensational kidnapping and murder of self-styled Mahamandleshwar (Head) of a temple in Surajkund at Meerut was committed to exhort money. This surfaced after the Special Task Force sleuths arrested seven criminals involved in the crime and quizzd them.
SSP STF, Amit Pathak told media persons on Monday that his team were assisting the Meerut Police to work out the killing of Rajendra Swaroopji Maharaj. After extensive investigations, the STF team arrested seven criminals from Nauchandi area of Meerut on Sunday night. A .32 bore pistol, three country made weapons along with Alto car (UP15AV-4892) and Mahindra Pikup (UP15CT-3179) were recovered by the police.
The accused were identified as Dheeraj, Dharshan Singh, Vishu Agarwal, Sanjay, Pravendra aka Rana, and two criminals both identified as Rahul Singh.
The SSP said that during quizzing Dheeraj revealed that he had known Maharaj for the last six years and was aware that he had amassed huge money by proclaiming himself as `Mahamandleshwar’.
Dheeraj revealed that a fortnight back, he along with Vishu Agarwal and Darshan were sitting at a tea stall and planned to kidnap the godman and make easy money. As per the plan, they sent four aides to the godman's house. The four introduced themselves as STF cops and bundled the Maharaj into a car and took him to Anchery Khurd area of Mawana in Meerut.
Dheeraj disclosed that after few hours they told Maharaj to arrange money if he wanted to be rekleased safely. At this, the Maharaj told them that he Rs 1.5 lakh in his house and they could get it there. However when they asked for more money, the Maharaj suddenly raised an alarm to attact the local villagers.
Fearing that they would be caught, the gang gunned him down and escaped after dumping the body in a jungle while fleeing. The accused were produced in court at Meerut on Monday morning and they were sent to jail.
Earlier on Tuesday night, Rajendra Swaroop Ji Maharaj (52) of Baba Manoharnath temple was abducted while he was taking a stroll near his house in Phool Bagh colony. A FIR was later registered against three persons, including Natwar following a complaint by Swaroop's son Shivam. later his body was found lying in the jungles at Nagla Gosai area of Mawana on Thursday morning.