Recently released suspect questioned after allegations that temple residents were being pressured to vacate the premises

SHAHJAHANPUR: A morning discovery at a village temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district has turned into a suspected double-murder investigation after the charred remains of two elderly priests were found on the premises on Thursday.

The dead men, identified as Gopal Das, 70, and his disciple Bihari Das, 60, had been living at the temple in Sootha village for years.

Police have taken a local man, Sumit, into custody after allegations were made that a dispute over the use of the temple property may have preceded the deaths.

The case came to light at about 7 am when information reached the Khudaganj police station about two bodies lying at the temple.

Officers reached the site and secured the area, while forensic specialists were called in to examine the scene and collect possible evidence.

According to police, the temple’s patron, Shiv Kumar Singh, named Sumit in a complaint and alleged that the two priests had been murdered.

He further alleged that the bodies were deliberately burned after the killings in an effort to eliminate evidence.

Investigators are examining the allegation alongside accounts from villagers. They told investigators that Sumit regularly visited the temple and had spent time with the two priests.

Villagers also alleged that he had been asking the priests to leave because he wanted to occupy the temple premises.

Police have not yet confirmed that the alleged property dispute was the motive. Superintendent of Police Saurabh Dixit said the circumstances would become clearer after the suspect’s interrogation and examination of forensic evidence.

The police are expected to register the appropriate case once the preliminary investigation establishes the nature of the crime.

The fact that Sumit had recently returned from jail after securing bail has also become part of the investigation. Police said he had been incarcerated in an earlier criminal case and are now questioning him about his possible connection with the deaths.

The lives of the two priests had been closely linked to the temple. Gopal Das, originally from a nearby village, reportedly withdrew from his family life after the death of his wife around two decades ago and subsequently began living at the temple.

Bihari Das, who belonged to Sootha, joined him as a disciple roughly 10 years ago.

Their deaths have left the village shaken as investigators work to establish what happened inside the temple before the fire.

The remains have been sent for post-mortem examination, while forensic findings are expected to form an important part of the investigation.