Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 22: The case of the alleged suicide of former MLA Gurez, Faqeer Muhammad Khan, took a twist today as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged foul play, claiming its leader was “killed.”
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Party spokesperson Altaf Thakur, speaking to reporters in Kangan after offering condolences to Khan’s family, said his death seemed “suspicious,” stressing that it was not a suicide.
“I met him a day before he was found dead; he was healthy. Under the circumstances, his death seems suspicious. We doubt it was suicide and believe he was killed as part of a conspiracy,” he said.
He added that even the rifle-allegedly used in the suicide-was placed between Khan’s legs in an unusually neat manner.
“The wound is also different; it doesn’t match what could have been caused by the said rifle,” he claimed.
Thakur acknowledged the police statement that initially termed it a suicide but demanded the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a thorough probe.
“I request the police to conduct a proper investigation because we do not believe it was suicide. Those responsible should be identified,” he said.
The BJP leader described Khan as the “voice of the people” and stressed the need to determine who was behind silencing him.
“The police must constitute an SIT to establish the facts. This is our demand. We urge the police and investigative agencies to uncover those responsible,” he added.
Thakur reiterated that when he met Khan, he showed no signs of mental distress. “It appears he was caught in some conspiracy and killed,” he said.
Without providing further details, he mentioned that Khan’s family had informed them he was being blackmailed. “For now, his accounts should be frozen,” he urged.
Notably, Khan was found dead on Thursday at his Srinagar residence, lying in a pool of blood with his PSO’s service rifle beside him.
He was taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Police have already registered a case and launched an investigation to ascertain the details.
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