A man was found shot dead at Union Minister Kaushal Kishore’s house in the Thakurganj area of Lucknow Friday morning, the police said.
The victim was identified as Vinay Srivastava. A licensed pistol allegedly belonging to the minister’s son Vikas Kishore was recovered from the spot, the police said.
The minister claimed his son Vikas had gone to Delhi and was not present in the house when the alleged murder occurred. “People involved in the crime will not be spared. We are standing in support of family members of the deceased. I have no idea who was at the residence when the incident occurred,” said the minister.
However, Srivastava’s family members said he was a close associate of Vikas and was murdered in a planned manner.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Lucknow) Rahul Raj confirmed that Srivastava died of a bullet injury. He said that during a preliminary inquiry, it came to light that six people had come to the house Thursday night and they had dinner together.
“Later, a firing took place in the house. The pistol recovered from the spot is said to belong to Vikas Kishore. CCTV footage from cameras installed at the place is being collected for investigation,” said Rahul Raj.
He said the victim’s family has filed a complaint and an FIR is being lodged.
The victim’s brother Vikas Srivastava told the media that Vikas may be involved in the murder. “Vikas used to take my brother with him wherever he goes. But Vikas did not take my brother to Delhi with him and also did not take his pistol (with him). This shows there was some planning. My brother could not kill himself.”
Vikas added, “When my brother was shot dead, three men, namely Ajay Rawat, Shamim Baba and Ankit Verma, were present in the house. I believe arguments took place after which my brother was shot dead. The house belongs to Vikas Kishore and my brother used to stay there. Vikas was not present when the incident occurred but the pistol used in the murder belongs to him.”
Kaushal Kishore told the media, “I informed the police commissioner after coming to know about the incident. Investigation is going on, and the truth will come out,” adding that Vinay Srivastava was associated with them since around 2017.
On being asked about the recovery of the pistol belonging to Vikas, the minister said it is a matter of investigation.
