Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha leader shot dead in Lucknow

Lucknow: Ranjit Bachchan, the leader of political organisation called Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha, was shot dead on Sunday morning in the Hazratganj area of the Uttar Pradesh capital.

Bachchan, international president of the outfit, was shot dead at 0700 hrs when he was out for a morning walk along with his friend, police said.

Police said that two criminals came on a motorcycle and fired on Bachchan and his friend. While Bachchan died on the spot, his friend was wounded.

A manhunt has been launched to nab the culprits.

Ranjit had completed his 40 years on Saturday, when a programme was held at a government housing complex, where he called upon the Hindus to unite for Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The leader, a native of Gorakhpur, was also a cyclist and had visited several countries. He was associated with Samajwadi Party in the past.

His wife Kalandi Sharma is a BJP leader. She alleged that minority community people have killed her husband. (UNI)