A 45-year-old Congress worker was brutally murdered by an alleged BJP (Yuva Morcha) party worker in the wee hours of Monday in Ghatkopar near Asalfa Metro station, over an alleged objectionable Facebook post.
After the incident, the BJP worker, who fled from the spot, was later identified through heated arguments which took place between the deceased and accused on Facebook.
The accused and deceased were political rivals who were at loggerheads over the last several months. Police have arrested three BJP Yuva Morcha workers in the case. The deceased, identified as Manoj Dubey, was a local Congress worker closely associated with the Congress MLA and former cabinet minister Naseem Khan, while the arrested accused were identified as Sunil Dubey, Umesh Singh and Akash Sharma.
According to police officials, “Based on the incident we have registered a case under Section 302 of IPC. We have arrested three people and are trying to get the exact motive behind the murder. The murder weapon has been recovered and further investigations in the matter are on,” top officials said. According to the police officials, “Manoj had several cases of violence registered against him. In the recent past he made several Facebook posts and comments against the BJP government over local issues in Ghatkopar and Saki Naka area. On Sunday both sides had a minor fight over same issues, however senior people in the area came to the rescue and stopped the fight.“Later around midnight, when Manoj and his two friends were returning from Ghatkopar, the accused and others were present at Asalfa metro station. Manoj dashed his bike near them and tore some posters. After an argument the two gangs started a street fight. That's when the accused brought a sword from his place and stabbed Manoj 16 times, killing him on the spot. However, just before dying Manoj named the accused to an eyewitness.”
Later his body was rushed to Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. With assembly elections due next year, the incident is expected to spark a fierce political debate.
The accused have been booked under the relevant sections of IPC, including 302 and sections of the Arms Act. After the incident top Congress leaders took out a march at Sakinaka police station under the guidance of Sanjay Nirupam and Naseem Khan, the Congressmen met the family members of deceased as well.