Police arrest shooter for BJP leader's murder

Uttar Pradesh police Wednesday arrested a sharpshooter in connection with the murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Pandit in Noida last week.

Police said a sharpshooter of the Sunder Bhati gang was arrested along with four accomplices. The shooter was identified as Anni.

Officials privy to the investigation told IANS that the weapon used in the crime has also been recovered.

Anni, who hails from Bulandshahr, allegedly confessed to police of shooting Vijay Pandit for not paying up extortion fee demanded by his gang.

Pandit's killing had led to violence in Noida. The BJP had upped the ante against the Akhilesh Yadav government for failing to maintain law and order in the state.

Police, however, ruled out any leads so far showing any involvement of Samajwadi Party leader Narendra Bhati in the murder, as alleged by Pandit's widow.

"We are probing the matter keeping in mind allegations and all evidences," an official told IANS.