Amravati killers had funds from Qatar and Kuwait: NIA

Investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the cold-blooded killing of Amravati chemist Umesh Kolhe have revealed that his killers had received funds from Qatar and Kuwait. The killing, according to NIA investigators, was part of a conspiracy to spread terror among a particular community and further the chasm between the two communities by targeting those who supported Nupur Sharma on social media.

Well-placed sources in the NIA told The Daily Guardian on Sunday that the NGO “Rahbar” run by Irfan Khan, the alleged mastermind behind Kolhe’s killing, received funds from Qatar and Kuwait. Maulvi Mushfiq Ahmed, who was arrested on Tuesday by the NIA along with another

accused Abdul Arbaaz, was the main conspirator in the killing.

Kolhe was brutally murdered on 21 June for supporting on social media BJP spokesperson Sharma, who in a TV debate had made intemperate remarks against Prophet Muhammad, creating a raging controversy with international ramifications.

After their arrest, the NIA produced Arbaaz and Maulvi Ahmed before the NIA Special Court in Mumbai on Friday. The Special Court sent the accused to remand till 12 August. “The arrested accused viz. Abdul Arbaz and Maulavi Mushfique Ahmed are criminal associates of earlier arrested accused persons, namely Irfan Shaikh, Shoaib Khan, Mudassir Ahmed, Aatif Rashid, Yusuf Khan, Abdul Toufiq and Shahrukh Pathan and one wanted accused namely Shamim Ahmed Firoj Ahmed,” the NIA said in a statement after their arrest.

The central anti-terror agency has so far arrested nine accused in the case, and according to the sources two suspects are on the run.

The Home Ministry had in July handed over the case to the NIA after the authorities found similarities with Kanhiya Lal’s brutal murder on 28 June in Udaipur, Rajasthan.