Apple executive death: 2 police constables arrested, SIT constituted; HM Rajnath Singh speaks to CM Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said that a CBI probe will be ordered into the incident if need be.
Lucknow woke up on Saturday to a shocking news of a top multi-national executive shot dead by police. Vivek Tiwari, who worked with Apple as area sales manager, was shot from close range by a constable late on Friday night after he failed to stop his SUV during checking.
The incident took place in posh Gomti Nagar extension area at about 1:30 am when Vivek was returning home along with his woman colleague after a mobile launch event.
The police constable failing to stop Vivek Tiwari during a checking, chased him and shot him in the neck, killing him, Sana Khan who was in the vehicle with Apple executive told the media.
Sana said after they were fired at, Tiwari got scared and hit the car against a pillar of an underpass and sustained more injuries.
However, accused police constable has claimed that the victim attempted to run the vehicle over him thrice with the intention of killing him. He also demanded that his FIR be registered.
Two constables were arrested on the basis of an FIR lodged by Apple executive Vivek Tiwari's colleague Sana Khan, who was travelling with him.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the state DGP and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who assured him of a "judicious and effective investigation."
ADG confirms firing by police
Confirming that the Apple employee was killed in firing by a constable on patrol, ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar said strict action would be taken against the accused cops. Constable Prashant Chowdhary has been booked for murder
"Post mortem report establishes a firearm injury from a bullet on the left side of the chin, viscera of the victim has preserved. Thorough investigation is being conducted to establish the sequence of events," Anand Kumar said.
"Law has been violated in this case. If the situation demanded firing of a bullet, it could have been fired at the car tyre, even then it was not right to do so. This is a shameful incident for us," he added.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under SP crime to investigate the case.
Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya also assured the bereaved family of strict action against those responsible for the incident.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said that a CBI probe will be ordered into the incident if need be. "It was not an encounter. An investigation will be conducted in this incident. If needed, we will order a CBI inquiry into the incident," Adityanath said.
WATCH: Top MNC executive shot dead by Lucknow cop
'Fired in self-defence'
Prashant Chaudhary, the constable accused of opening fire at Vivek Tiwari, however, claimed that he pulled the trigger of his service revolver in self-defence.
"I saw a suspicious car with its lights off, when I approached the car, the driver (Vivek Tiwari) tried to run over me thrice to kill me. I fired a bullet in self-defence, he then immediately took off from the spot," Chaudhary said.
"It is being said that CM has told that our case will not be registered. Is there no value of our lives?," he added.
It's a cold-blooded murder: Killed executive's wife
It was a cold-blooded murder. UP CM Yogi Adityanath should explain why my husband was killed, Kalpana Tiwari, wife of the deceased said. "Was he a criminal or a terrorist that police fired at him. He could have been arrested if he had done anything wrong. Who will answer why my husband was killed," an inconsolable Kalpana asked.
Vivek's kin said they won't proceed with the last rites until CM Adityanath to visits them.
"It's a clear case of murder. I have served as a police inspector, I know a person is never shot in the neck," Tilakraj Tiwari, Vivek's uncle told the media.
The family of the victim has made it clear that it will not allow the body to be taken away unless Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrives at the spot.
WATCH: Will order CBI probe in Lucknow case if needed, says CM Adityanath