On Monday, police said, a woman was burnt alive by her family members over an inter – faith love affair. The woman’s father, brother, brother-in-law and another person have been arrested in this connection.
According to the police, the family had hired a contract killer, Varun Tiwari, and paid him 1.5 lakh rupees, to put an end to her relationship with a Muslim man.
On Sunday, the victim’s father Kailash Yadav, brother Ajit Yadav, brother-in-law Satyaprakash Yadav and one Sitaram Yadav were arrested. A petrol container and motorcycle used in the crime have also been recovered by the police. While the hunt is on to trace the contract killer, a police official said.
With the help of local police, CCTV footage, field unit and dog squad, the body was identified as Ranjana Yadav of Belghat area in Gorakhpur.
According to police, one of the accused took the woman to a deserted place in Jigina village on a motorcycle on 3rd February. The other accused joined them and tied the woman’s hands and mouth.
Then the accused set her on fire and fled the spot, police added.