Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh: Police on Thursday arrested a temple priest and two of his aides for the murder of journalist and RTI activist Raghvendra Vajpayee, who was shot dead in Maholi on March 8. According to police, the main accused, Shivanand Baba alias Vikas Rathore, allegedly ordered the killing after Vajpayee caught him sexually assaulting a minor and threatened to report him.
Fearing humiliation and legal action, Shivanand allegedly paid ₹4 lakh to contract killers through his associates, Nirmal Singh and Aslam Ghazi. While the trio has been arrested, the two shooters remain at large.
Vajpayee, 36, was ambushed on his way home and shot multiple times. He was rushed to hospital by locals but declared dead on arrival. Police investigations revealed that the journalist had been a regular visitor to the Karedev Baba Temple and had earlier witnessed the priest in a compromising act in February.
Sitapur SP Chakresh Mishra said the killers were hired from outside the district. After the crime, Shivanand allegedly celebrated with theatre artist Komal Mishra at a hotel, indulging in alcohol and drugs, and reportedly engaged in unnatural acts.
Despite plotting the murder, the priest maintained friendly ties with Vajpayee to avoid suspicion. Over 4,000 mobile numbers were analysed and more than 100 people questioned. CCTV footage helped identify the suspects.
Vajpayee’s wife, Rashmi, rejected the police version and demanded a CBI probe, suspecting a larger conspiracy. Sketches of the absconding shooters have been released.
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