In a shocking incident, a 68-year-old priest was found brutally murdered at a secluded temple ashram in Agra district. The victim, identified as Patiram Kushwaha, resided alone at the temple in Vipravali village within the Pinahat area.
Gruesome Discovery at the Temple
The grim discovery was made on Sunday afternoon. According to police reports, Kushwaha's daughter-in-law visited the ashram around 3 pm and found his lifeless body lying on a cot inside his room. The scene suggested a violent assault.
Investigators revealed that the priest had suffered severe injuries to his head and face. The preliminary examination indicated the attack was carried out with blunt and sharp objects. A critical piece of evidence, a blood-stained crowbar, was recovered approximately 30 meters away from the crime scene.
Victim's Last Movements and Investigation
Patiram Kushwaha, a resident of Pinahat town, lived a solitary life at the temple while cultivating nearby land. His family, including his wife Malla Devi and five children, live in the town. The family stated that Kushwaha had visited them briefly on Friday and confirmed that no one had visited the temple on Saturday.
Upon being alerted by the family, police reached the remote spot and sent the body for a postmortem examination. Authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Pinahat police station.
Financial Dispute Suspected; Seer Detained
The investigation has taken a significant turn with police suspecting the murder could be linked to a financial dispute. In a key development, investigators have detained a seer for intensive questioning regarding the case.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhishek Agrawal addressed the media, stating, "Prima facie, the murder appears to have been committed using the screwdriver and crowbar found at the scene. The accused might be known to the victim." He assured that the investigation is progressing rapidly and arrests are imminent.
To expedite the probe, the police have formed two dedicated teams tasked with unraveling the motive and identifying the perpetrators behind this heinous crime in the quiet village of Vipravali.
