Self-styled president of Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha shot dead in Lucknow

Even as Uttar Pradesh chief minister was busy rabble rousing in Delhi ahead of the assembly election, somebody said to be close to him and the self-styled president of the self-styled organisation, ‘ Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha”, was shot dead in the heart of Lucknow early on Sunday morning.

The police identified him as Ranjit Bachchan, who had gone out on a morning walk along with his brother. Two unidentified assailants on a motorbike are said to have shot at them near CDRI in Hazratganj. While Ranjit Bachchan is said to have died on the spot, his brother was shifted to Kg Medical College and is said to be critical.

The deceased is also said to be from Gorakhpur, chief minister Ajay Bisht alias Yogi Adityanath’s home turf. He had moved to Lucknow barely six months ago after Uttar Pradesh Government allotted him a house under government quota, initial reports maintained.

Some of his neighbours are said to have mentioned that the deceased had two wives, one of whom lived in Gorakhpur. She had visited Lucknow a number of times and complained of ill-treatment by the deceased.

This is the first broad daylight killing in Hazratganj, after introduction of a Police Commissioner in Lucknow, ostensibly to improve policing. The firing took place around seven in the morning.

The deceased had celebrated his 40th birthday on Saturday, when a programmee was held at a temple.

Later he also addressed his well-wishers and spoke in favour of CAA and NCR.

The deceased , a native of Gorakhpur, was a cyclist and had visited several countries. He was associated with Samajwadi Party in the past.

This was the second killing of a Hindutava leader in Lucknow after Kamlesh Tiwari was gunned down last year.