File picture: Vishva Hindu Mahasabha leader Ranjit Bachchan | Photo Credit: PTI

Key Highlights Ranjeet Bachchan (40) had founded Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha A divorce case was pending between Ranjeet Bachchan and his second wife since 2016 Ranjeet Bachchan was killed on February 2 while he was out on a morning walk

Lucknow/Mumbai: Days after Ranjeet Bachchan was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, it has emerged that the right-wing Hindu outfit leader was allegedly killed because he was "delaying" the proceedings to divorce his second wife Smriti Srivastava.

On Thursday, police nabbed Ranjeet Bachchan’s wife, her lover Deependra, and two others in connection with the murder case. The UP Police have held their driver Sanjeet Gautam in Lucknow. However, the man who had killed Bachchan was arrested in Mumbai by an Uttar Pradesh police team.

Ranjeet Bachchan (40) had founded Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha.

According to Lucknow Police Commissioner Sujit Pandey, Smriti told police that a divorce case was pending between her and Bachchan since 2016. However, Bachchan was delaying the whole process by remaining absent in the court. Smriti also alleged that Bachchan was posing obstacles in her marriage with Deependra.

"Those involved in the murder are Smriti Srivastava (second wife), her friend Deependra, Sanjeet Gautam (driver) and Jeetendra (the shooter). Deependra was the person who convinced everyone to commit the crime. Smriti was part of the whole conspiracy. We arrested Sanjeet Gautam from Lucknow, Deependra has been arrested from UP-MP border and Smriti too has been arrested from Vikasnagar (in Lucknow)," said the police commissioner.

Meanwhile, a report in Amar Ujala has alleged that the reason which instigated Deependra to conspire for Bachchan’s murder was a ‘slap’. It has been alleged that Bachchan wanted to celebrate his wedding anniversary with Smriti, which was on January 17. The duo met on Sikander Bagh Chauraha, but Smriti refused to go to a hotel with Bachchan for the celebration. This irked Bachchan so much that he had slapped Smriti. After coming to know about the incident, Deependra purportedly decided to kill Bachchan.

Ranjeet Bachchan had 2 wives

The Lucknow police commissioner told media that upon enquiry, it was revealed that Ranjeet Bachchan had two wives. The Hindu outfit leader used to live with his first wife in Lucknow's OCR complex. His second wife - Smriti - is in government service. “As many as four cases were registered, including that of a rape, against Bachchan," he added.

How was Ranjeet Bachchan murdered?

Ranjeet Bachchan was killed on February 2 while he was out on a morning walk. The murder took place just a couple of kilometres away from Uttar Pradesh legislature complex. His cousin Aditya Srivastava also received injuries in the attack.

Lucknow Police Commissioner Sujit Pandey said, "Three people (Deependra, Sanjeet and Jeetendra) moved from Rae Bareli at 2.30 am (on the intervening night of February 1 and 2). On February 2, Deependra was dropped at Hazratganj crossing, the shooter was dropped near Capitol cinema hall crossing. At 5.40 am, Ranjeet Bachchan, Kalindi and Aditya moved out from their home for the morning walk. The shooter followed them in Hazratganj, and attacked them outside Globe Park."

As per the UP Police, one vehicle was used for the recce purpose, while the other for fleeing after committing the crime.

On the basis of specific inputs, the Uttar Pradesh's STF arrested Jeetendra on Thursday in Mumbai.