At least 6 detained in connection with murder case of Surendra Singh, close aide of Smriti Irani

Singh was shot dead by unidentified assailants at his residence while he was celebrating Irani's victory from Amethi.

Amethi: Six to seven persons have been detained for questioning in connection with the murder of former Baraulia village chief Surendra Singh, a close aide of newly-elected Bharatiya Janata Party MP Smriti Irani. 

Three investigation teams have been created and officers are carrying out raids at several places, sources told Zee News. The office of the Director General of Police (DGP) is monitoring the entire case. 

"My father was a close aide of Smriti Irani and used to campaign 24/7," the slain leader's son told news agency ANI. "After she became MP, Vijay Yatra was carried out. I think some Congress supporters didn't like it,we have suspicions on some people," he added.

DGP OP Singh said the case will be solved in next 12 hours. "Intensive investigation underway. We've found vital clues. Seven people detained for questioning. We're confident of solving the case in the next 12hrs. Three companies of PAC are deputed," said.

Singh was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Saturday night at his residence in Baraulia village in Jamo police station jurisdiction, which comes under Amethi constituency. He was rushed to the trauma centre but died on the way.

According to emerging reports, the 50-year-old local leader was assassinated while he was celebrating Irani's victory from Amethi, a traditional Gandhi bastion.

Irani would often be accompanied by village party chiefs and leaders during campaigning for Lok Sabha Election 2019. Singh would always accompany Irani as she campaigned in Jamo.

Baraulia village was in news during campaigning in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, as Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had accused Smriti Irani of distributing shoes to the residents in order to insult Rahul Gandhi, reported news agency PTI. Locals claim that Singh was involved in the distribution of footwear during campaigning.

"He was shot around 3 AM. We've taken a few suspects into custody. Investigation on. It can be due to an old dispute or a political dispute," Amethi SP told news agency ANI.

Irani emerged as BJP's giant killer after defeating Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi by a margin of 55,120 votes, dealing a major blow to the grand old party. The Congress leader had been winning from Amethi from the 2004 Lok Sabha election.