In a shocking incident, the head priest of the famous Balaji temple in Chitrakoot was shot dead by unidentified persons on Thursday evening. His driver was also injured in the shootout.
45-year-old Mahant Arjun Das was shot twice on the head from close range and his driver Arvind was shot in the chest.
According to police reports, two assailants were hiding close to the temple and as soon as the Mahant came down with driver to visit the akhara, they opened fire at them. The assailants were last seen entering the Shamshan Ghat on a motorcycle. Reports claimed that property dispute could be the reason behind the killing.
The injured persons were rushed to the district hospital where the Mahant was declared dead. SP, Chitrakoot, Ankit Mittal said an alert had been sounded and all exit points of the city sealed and vehicles were being checked.
This attack is another one in the long list of alleged property-related murders in the region and the manner in which the crime was carried out shows the criminals’ total lack of respect for the law.
