Student leader shot dead in Varanasi

A 23-year-old student leader was allegedly shot dead by some persons in Sigra police station area here, police said today.

Abhishek Kumar Singh, a student leader of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth University, was shot dead by some persons last night, said SP (city) Sudhakar Yadav.

A native of Ghazipur district, Singh was a third year student of Bachelor of Arts (BA) and was staying in a rented accommodation here.

Someone known to Singh called him on his cellphone and asked to come near a graveyard at Siddhgiribagh to discuss the issues related to student council elections, police said.

During an exchange of heated arguments, he was allegedly shot at, police said, adding, he tried to run away from the spot but was chased by the assailants and again shot on his head leading to his death on the spot.

He was riding pillion on the motorcycle of one Manoj Kumar Singh who managed to escape, they said.

Police is interrogating Manoj and the investigation into the case is on. The body has been sent for post-mortem, said Yadav.