Railway contractor shot dead in Lucknow

Lucknow: A railway contractor was shot dead by unidentified assailants after holding his wife and children hostage in Cantt area in the state capital on Saturday. Police sources here said that railway contractor Virendra Thakur (42) was residing near Neelmattha Primary school with his second wife Khushbun Tara and three sons.

Three motorbike borne assailants shot him at his residence after locking his wife and children in other room. Khushbun, wife of deceased contractor, said that three armed assailants entered their house and fired to threaten family members.

Criminals threatened to kill wife and kids and locked them in other room. Initial investigation indicated that first wife of deceased Virendra could be behind the murder. Virendra, native of West Champaran, Bihar was attacked in 2019 and he was shot in his legs. He was unable to walk after that attack and working as property dealer in Lucknow. DK Thakur, commissioner of police, said criminals have taken recordings of CCTV camera with them. Virendra had appointed three private security guards for his safety and they were missing after the incident. It was reported that security guards had opened door when criminals entered the house.