Azamgarh murder: 2 ‘contracts killers’ held

The STF of Sunday arrested two persons — Rakesh Saroj alias Rakesh Pasi of Azamgarh and Rohan Rawat alias Amit of Gorakhpur — reportedly after a brief encounter in Devgaon area of Azamgarh in connection with the October 8 murder of a local businessman Ashok Kumar Giri. Two country-made pistols, allegedly used in the crime, four live cartridges and two cellphone were recovered from them, said police. According to the police, the duo were hired by Giri’s rival and neighbour Dileep through gangster Rajan Pasi, who is currently lodged in Azamgarh jail. Deputy SP of STF, Vikas Chand Tripathi, said Dileep had promised them Rs 1 lakh each for executing the crime. However, the money was yet to be paid. Police are now looking for Dileep and one Luvkush Rai alias Sadhu Rai who was allegedly accompanying the killers on the day of the crime and was present at the spot.