Varanasi Police on Tuesday announced a breakthrough in the case of last month’s violent assault on Banaras Hindu University’s (BHU) Telugu Department head, Professor C S Rama Chandra Murty, claiming it was the result of a deep-rooted departmental rivalry.
According to police, the attack was allegedly orchestrated by Murty’s predecessor, Professor Budati Venkatesh Lu, over an internal dispute.
The Conspiracy Unfolds
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gaurav Kumar told reporters that two individuals have been arrested, while the alleged mastermind, Venkatesh, along with six others, remains absconding.
The motive, police say, may be linked to Murty’s complaint that purportedly led to Venkatesh’s removal as head of the department. “Only after questioning Venkatesh can we confirm the exact nature of the dispute,” Kumar said, adding that the two arrested men have “confessed” to their involvement.
Murty, due to retire next year, was brutally attacked inside the BHU campus on July 28. The assault left him with fractures in both hands.
The arrested accused have been identified as Pramod Kumar alias Ganesh Pasi of Prayagraj and B Bhaskar of Telangana.
Pramod was apprehended during a police encounter in Varanasi, sustaining a bullet injury, while Bhaskar was picked up in Telangana and brought to Varanasi on a transit remand. Police say a country-made pistol was recovered from Pramod.
Network of Accused Spanning Multiple States
According to investigators, Venkatesh—who had previously headed the Telugu Department—allegedly conspired with then Assistant Professor Kasim Babu to eliminate Murty.
Police claim that Bhaskar, who has known Venkatesh since 2016 during his postgraduation at Andhra Pradesh Central University, was invited to Varanasi in May this year. During this visit, Venkatesh and Babu allegedly pressured him to arrange the killing.
Bhaskar is said to have contacted his associate Mohammed Kasim, also from Telangana. On July 25, Bhaskar and Kasim flew to Varanasi and checked into a hotel. Kasim then allegedly recruited Pramod Kumar, who in turn engaged Suraj Dubey of Ghazipur.
Police allege that Dubey received ₹48,000 from Kasim for the job and subsequently roped in Pradhuman Yadav and Vishal Yadav from Ghazipur, along with Vedant Bhushan Mishra from Jaunpur, expanding the conspiracy to at least nine participants.
The Attack and Aftermath
Police say the accused conducted reconnaissance on July 26 and 27, studying Murty’s movements. On July 28, the attackers allegedly confronted him near BHU’s Birla Hostel crossing and assaulted him with a steel rod before fleeing.
Students who witnessed the attack rushed to Murty’s aid, and he was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The incident sparked outrage among BHU’s student and faculty community, prompting protests on campus. The agitation ended after the police assured that all culprits would be apprehended.
Investigation and Evidence
Authorities say the investigation was driven by CCTV footage from the BHU campus and a detailed analysis of call records, which helped track the suspects.
The ACP stated that questioning of the seven absconding accused—particularly Venkatesh—is crucial to uncovering the complete picture of the plot.
While police maintain they are close to wrapping up the case, BHU officials said they have not yet been given any official investigation report and remain unaware of the specifics.
“We are still waiting for formal communication from the police,” a BHU representative said.
The hunt for the absconding suspects continues, with police confident that more revelations will follow in the coming days.
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