Ganesha idol sculptor shot dead in Jabalpur; police suspect old enmity behind murder
Jabalpur, Sep 5 (IANS) A 48-year-old sculptor was shot dead allegedly by two-three unidentified youths in the Bhantalaiya Sindhi Camp area of Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district, police said on Saturday. Preliminary investigation suggested an old enmity could be behind the murder, police said.
The incident took place between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, when the victim, identified as Babba alias Manoj Sonkar, had just finished making an idol of Lord Ganesha near his home and stepped out for a break.
According to police, Sonkar had been making idols in the area during the festive season for several years. On Friday night, he was working on a Ganesha idol at a makeshift pandal.
After completing his work, Sonkar stepped out of the pandal for a break when two-three youths, who had arrived on a motorcycle, allegedly opened fire at him and fled. A bullet hit him in the abdomen.
On hearing the sound of gunfire, people engaged in idol-making work nearby rushed to the spot and took Sonkar to Hanumantal police station. Police then shifted him to the district hospital, where doctors tried to save him, but he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
ASP Ayush Jakhar, who reached the spot with his team after being informed about the incident, said preliminary investigation suggested an old enmity could be behind the murder.
“Manoj Sonkar had a long-standing dispute with Shubham Maratha and a few other people. Even his family members are currently unable to ascertain the exact reason behind the incident,” Jakhar said.
Police suspect that three-four people may have been involved in the crime. However, their individual roles and the exact circumstances leading to the shooting would be established during the investigation.
“Police teams are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas and questioning eyewitnesses. Technical evidence is also being analysed to identify and trace the accused,” the ASP said.
The police have inspected the crime scene and started collecting evidence. CCTV cameras installed near the spot are being examined to trace the movement of the suspected assailants.
Eyewitnesses and people familiar with the deceased are also being questioned as part of the investigation. Police said efforts were underway to identify the accused and determine the motive behind the killing. Further details are awaited.
–IANS
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