GREATER NOIDA: The family of Mohammad Akhlaq - the man who was killed on Monday in Greater Noida 's Bisada village by a mob - has told the authorities that five people, including the son of a local BJP member who lives in the neighbourhood, instigated the murderous crowd.

Additional district magistrate Rajesh Yadav told TOI on Friday that among those accused by the family is Vishal, the son of local BJP functionary Sanjay Rana. The four others are Chandrapal, Arun, Hari Om and his brother, whose name Akhlaq's family doesn't know.

Akhlaq was attacked by the mob on rumours that the family had slaughtered a cow and had beef in the house. His family alleged it was Vishal who forced the priest of a village temple to announce on a megaphone that there was beef in Akhlaq's house. It was this announcement that brought together the mob.

"The family member told the district administration these five people had gone to the temple to make the announcement. After the announcement, Chandrapal initially instigated the mob. More people gathered and attacked the victim's home and lynched him," Yadav said.

Akhlaq's family told the administration they had got the information from neighbours who had seen it all happen. After recording the statement, given by a family member of Akhlaq whose identity the administration didn't disclose, Chandrapal was detained. The role of the priest is also under the scanner. "We have questioned him (the priest) several times but he keeps changing his statements. We suspect the priest is hiding something," a police officer said. The investigation is being supervised by Gautam Budh Nagar SSP Kiran S.

Rana, a long-time resident of Bisada, was taken aback by the allegation. "I am associated with BJP since 1995. I am a member of the party and its dedicated work. I am also a district functionary of BJP. It is unfortunate my name has been dragged into this. I am the person who called the PCR at 10.26pm on Monday (the night of the lynching). I also called the Jarcha police station in-charge at 10.28pm. Akhlaq was like a brother to me and I called his father 'tauji' (uncle). Why would I hatch a conspiracy to kill him? I arranged funds for Akhlaq's treatment," Rana told TOI.

However, BJP's Guatam Budh Nagar chief Thakur Harish Singh said Rana is not an office bearer of the party. "At present, he does not hold any post," Singh said. "Rana wanted to hold a mahapanchayat to restore peace in the area. I advised him not to do so," Singh added.

