Nanded, May 24: In a sensational incident, a Lingayat seer from Karnataka was found murdered in his mutt in the Nanded district of Marathwada region of Maharashtra on Sunday.
The seer, who was strangled to death, has been identified as Shivacharya Nirvanarudra Pashupatinath Maharaj, the founder-spiritual head of Nirvanji Pashupatinath Mutt.
Addressing media persons, Nanded Superintendent of Police Vijaykumar Magar, the prime suspect, Sainath Langote first killed his accomplice Bhagwan Shinde and then went to the ashram late on Saturday.
He entered Shivaharya Maharaj's bedroom where he was resting and threw chilli powder in his eyes, blinding him.
Then he quickly grabbed cash of Rs 69,000, his laptop and other valuables in the bedroom worth approximately Rs.1.50 lakh, besides the seer's car keys.
As Shivacharya Maharaj attempted to grapple with him, Langote pinned him down and strangled him, then dragged his body to the sadhu's car parked outside and dumped it into the boot.
"He started the car and sped off towards the road outside, but the car crashed into the main gate of the ashram creating a noise, alerting the other sevaks sleeping inside the ashram," Magar said.
Around 8-10 other ashram sevaks rushed outside to check the ruckus and when they saw their seer's belongings and his body in the car trunck, they attempted to stop Langote, but he gave them the slip.
A short distance away, Langote managed to steal a motorbike and sped off into the darkness and hours later, the police found the body of his accomplice Shinde from a nearby school premises, Magar said.
In view of the sensitivity of the incident, Magar said around five crack teams were formed which fanned out into the district and managed to catch Langote this afternoon.
"The prima facie motive for the seer's murder was clearly robbery and the second killing could be due to rivalry or some differences among them. The absconder suspect has been caught by a police team. We will interrogate him and get further details of the crime," Magar said.
Nanded Congress strongman and PWD Minister Ashok Chavan appealed that the murder should not be politicized, since the police investigations are underway and the autopsy report is awaited.
He said the deceased sadhu belonged to the Lingayat caste, and both Shinde and Langote who belonged to the same community were his followers.
Shivacharya Maharaj had come to Nanded over a decade ago and set up the ashram which he ran along with a band of followers.
A state-level leader of Jamiat e Ahle Hadees, an Islamic organisation, Munavvar Ali had played a crucial role in establishment of several religious intuitions in twin coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
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Innaa Lillahi Wa Innaa Ilaihi Rajivoon.
May the departed soul rest in peace. May Allah accept all his good deeds and forgive his sins. May Allah bless him with the bounties of blissful Jannat ul firdous. May Allah give sabr (patience) to his grieved family to bear with the loss of their dear one.
Heartfelt condolences.
In nah lillahi wa innah lillahi rajiwun. Allah wa taala Marhoom ko JANNAT UL FIRDOUS ataa karey. Aameen Aur relatives ko sabr dey.
Summa Aameen.
Inna lillahi va inna ilaihi rajivoon, may Allah forgive him and grant him jannath
Inna Lillahi Wa Innaa Ilaihi Raajioon.
May Allah Rabbul Aalameen make everything easy in qabar, Hereafter and grant him Jannathul Firdous.
inna lillahi va inna ilahi rajivoon , may allah forgive him and grant him jannath al firdaus.
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