A school teacher in his forties was shot dead outside a government primary school in India’s Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday afternoon. Following the killing, the accused, 30-year-old Gaurav Rathi, is reported to have gone to a police station and surrendered.
The teacher who was killed has been identified as Naushad Ahmed. According to police and local sources, he was between 40 and 43 years old. He was returning home on a motorcycle on Tuesday after his classes ended. Around 2pm, near the school gate, Rathi is alleged to have opened fire on Naushad. Struck by multiple bullets, Naushad collapsed on the spot.
Fellow schoolteacher Taruna Chaurasia rescued him and took him by e-rickshaw to a private hospital in Najibabad. As his condition worsened, doctors referred him to AIIMS in Rishikesh, where he died around 5pm while under treatment.
Police said that shortly after the shooting, Rathi presented himself at the police station along with two country-made pistols and six rounds of ammunition. Citing the news outlet Amar Ujala, police said Rathi allegedly admitted to firing three shots. He also raised an alleged “love jihad” connection involving Naushad, a claim police are investigating.
Bijnor Superintendent of Police K K Bishnoi said that although the accused has surrendered, the motive for the killing has not yet been confirmed. Naushad, a resident of Rahatpur Khurd village, was reportedly also involved in local property transactions. Investigators are also examining whether the killing was connected to a dispute over property or money.
Village head Mohammad Mostafa said the specific reason for the killing remains unclear. Naushad is survived by his mother, two wives and five children. His body will be handed over to the family after the post-mortem examination. The allegations against the accused and the motive for the killing remain under investigation.
Source: Muslim Mirror.