Lucknow shooting case: Victim cremated in presence of UP ministers

The executive of a private company who was allegedly shot dead by constables in Gomti Nagar locality here was Sunday cremated in presence of Uttar Pradesh ministers and family members.

Vivek Tiwari (38) was shot Saturday by constables Prashant Chowdhury and Sandeep Kumar while he was going to drop his colleague Sana Khan.

His body was Sunday cremated at Bhaisakund in present of state minister Brijesh Pathak and local MLA Ashutosh Tondon and others.

When asked about the incident Pathak said, "It's an unfortunate incident and we are with the family members of the victim. We will try to fast-track the case so that the family can get justice. I will also request Principal Secretary Home and the DGP to post sensitive policemen in big cities."

"We will ensure strict action against the guilty. If needed, a CBI probe will also be recommended," he added.

Talking to reporters on the progress of investigation in the matter, ADG zone Rajeev Krishna and IG Range Sujit Pandey said, "All the aspects are being looked in the SIT probe. We have visited the spot with forensic teams and ballistic experts and collected details including articles found there, tyre marks etc."

"I met family members of the victim and talked to them for about an hour. I will share details with the SIT and the guilty will not be spared. Action will be taken against those involved in the act in any way, including hiding evidence or trying to shield accused," the ADG said.

When asked about reports that the wife and other well-wishers of one of the accused constables were collecting money by circulating messages on social media, the officer said, he was not aware of it.

"We will take into consideration all the points raised by media in their reports and the probe will be scientific," said IG Pandey, who is also leading the SIT, adding there are only a "few elements" which malign image of the force and appealed to people not to pay heed to any rumours.

Earlier, expressing grief over the incident, UP DGP OP Singh said no amount of apology would suffice for the loss of a precious life or heal and wounds of the devastated family.

"My heart goes out for the little daughters, wife and family members of Vivek Tiwari. I share my grief with them," he said, adding such deviant, "criminal behaviour" was reprehensible and deserved the strictest punishment.

"We are determined to punish and wean out such rogues in uniform who hang our heads in shame, at the same time we have also embarked on systemic reforms through behavioural training and humanisation of the force," the DGP said.

"As we are striving hard for a 360-degree reform of UP Police, it's my request to all of you do not consider the aberration of Lucknow incident as a reflection of what we truly stand for. I solicit your forgiveness, best wishes and cooperation in the journey of reformation ahead," he added.

The two constables were arrested and dismissed from the job and an FIR was registered in the matter on the basis of a complaint by Sana Khan.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had Saturday said a CBI inquiry would be recommended if needed.

Constable Prashant Chaudhary had said that after noticing some "suspicious activity", he asked the victim to come out of the SUV but he did not and instead tried to hit him and he had to open fire in self-defence.

A fired bullet pierced the windscreen as the car rammed into a pillar, police had said.

The autopsy report had later confirmed the death was caused by gunshot injuries.

District Magistrate Kaushalraj Sharma has ordered a magisterial inquiry in the case and a SIT was also constituted by the DGP to probe the matter.

UP Congress chief Raj Babbar also visited the victim's house Sunday and said, "You (CM) might be busy in the political management of the incident otherwise you should have come to meet daughters of the victim."

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to corner the BJP government in the state and said he also spoke to the victim's wife Kalpana over the phone.

(With inputs from agencies.)