E-Paper
Two missing friends found buried behind temple in Baghpat village; priest absconding
Two friends allegedly killed after confronting priest over relationship with one victim’s sister; bodies recovered from ground behind temple, two detained
LUCKNOW Nineteen days after two friends disappeared from Lahchaura village in UP’s Baghpat, police recovered their decomposed bodies from behind a temple, bringing a chilling twist to a missing-person case that turned into an alleged double murder investigation.
The bodies of Ankit, 25, and Israr, 32, both residents of the village, were recovered in the wee hours of Thursday after police excavated the ground behind the temple.
The duo had gone missing together on July 25. Police suspected they were killed following a confrontation with temple priest Naresh Nath over his alleged relationship with Ankit’s sister. Nath allegedly fled with his son shortly before police raided the temple and remains absconding.
Two people had been detained for questioning in connection with the case, said police.
The bodies were recovered on the basis of information provided by two arrested suspects following sustained investigation, analysis of technical evidence and their interrogation, said Suraj Kumar Rai, superintendent of police, Baghpat.
“Police have been conducting intensive investigation in the case registered at Chandinagar police station on July 29. Based on technical evidence and questioning of the accused, the bodies of the two missing persons from Lahchaura village were recovered on the identification of the arrested accused,” Rai said.
After the recovery, the necessary legal formalities, including preparation of the inquest report in the presence of a magistrate, were completed before the bodies were sent for post-mortem examination. “On the basis of evidence and facts emerging during the investigation, necessary legal sections have been added or modified in the case. Two accused have been taken into custody and the role of other persons is also being examined,” the SP said.
Ankit and Israr lived opposite each other and were close friends. Ankit was unemployed and the only brother among five sisters, while Israr worked as a labourer and supported his wife and three children.
On the afternoon of July 25, the two left home together on a motorcycle. They never returned. Israr’s father Ridku said the families initially searched for the two men and repeatedly called their mobile phones, but received no response. Their phones were switched off from the evening of July 27.
A missing-person report was registered at Chandinagar police station on July 29. With no breakthrough for days, police intensified the investigation, examining call detail records, mobile locations and information gathered from villagers. Investigators eventually found that the two men had last been seen near the Ganesh temple at Lahchaura.
Police learnt about an alleged relationship between priest Naresh Nath and Ankit’s sister. Family members said Ankit and Israr had confronted the priest over the relationship and visited the temple on July 25 to persuade him to end it.
Police suspect the confrontation escalated and the two men were killed. Their bodies were allegedly taken behind the temple and buried to conceal the crime. The burial site was reportedly covered with cemented tiles.
The exact sequence of events and the motive were being investigated, police said.
The breakthrough came late Wednesday night when police raided the temple. However, Nath allegedly fled with his son before the police team reached the premises. Two of his disciples, Krishna Yadav and Ujjwal, were detained. Police said they initially attempted to mislead investigators but later allegedly disclosed the burial site and the priest’s alleged role.
Around 3am, police teams dug up the ground behind the temple and recovered the two bodies in an advanced state of decomposition. The identities were established with the help of the victims’ clothes, a wristwatch and other physical characteristics. Ankit’s physical disability also helped investigators in identification.
