HIS decision to seal a petrol pump in Lakhimpur district may have cost Manju Nathan, a 27-year-old sales manager with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), his life.
Nathan’s body was recovered from a vehicle in Sitapur district this morning. The vehicle, a Maruti car, reportedly belongs to one Monu, the son of Sulakshan Mittal whose petrol pump in Gola area of Lakhimpur district had been sealed by Nathan.
Police have arrested two youths — identified as Vivek Sharma, the driver, and Rakesh Kumar, an employee of Mittal’s petrol pump — who were in the vehicle. Both the youths are in their twenties.
According to reports, Nathan had sealed Mittal Automobile Petrol Pump at Gola, about 50 km away from Lakhimpur district. ‘‘He had also recommended cancellation of the petrol pump’s licence,’’ said an IOC officer on condition of anonymity.
During interrogations, the arrested duo reportedly confessed to the crime. Sitapur SP Alok Kumar said Nathan was shot dead on Saturday night. ‘‘The youths were on their way to dispose the body in any isolated place. Fortunately, the policemen of Mahauli police station who were on morning patrol tried to stop the vehicle. But the driver defied the signal and speeded away. The police then gave chase and intercepted the vehicle, where they found the body,’’ he said. The youths were arrested just a few yards away from a river in Sitapur district.
The SP said Nathan, who originally hails from Bangalore but was posted in Lakhimpur district, was intercepted by four persons in Gola last night. These included Monu and the arrested duo.
‘‘I have already sent the youths who were arrested today to Lakhimpur for further action in this case. Raids are on in Lakhimpur district to nab the other two accused persons,’’ he added.
Meanwhile, Dilip Kumar, IOC manager (personal relations) expressed shock at the incident. ‘‘We are holding talks with our colleagues to decide our further course of action,’’ he said.
Tribhuvan Pandey, IOC sales manager at Sitapur, added: ‘‘There is strong resentment among us over the heinous crime. My senior officers have already reached here. We will talk to them later.’’