A 35-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing two elderly sadhus at a temple in Shahjahanpur’s Sutha village and later setting their bodies on fire, police said. The accused, identified as Sumit Singh, was arrested by Khudaganj police, who also recovered the iron rod allegedly used in the killings. The two deceased sadhus were identified as Baba Gopal Das and Baba Bihari Das, who were living at the temple and looking after its premises.

According to police, the incident occurred while the two sadhus were sleeping. Singh allegedly attacked them with an iron rod and subsequently placed their bodies at the temple before setting them on fire. Police said firewood and ghee available at the temple were used to burn the bodies. The incident came to light on Thursday morning when local residents reached the temple and found the partially burnt bodies near the premises.

The discovery prompted an immediate police investigation, with officers examining the temple and surrounding area to identify those responsible. During the investigation, police identified Singh as a suspect and subsequently arrested him. Investigators said the accused later hid the iron rod in bushes near the temple. The weapon was recovered based on information provided by Singh during questioning, police said.

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During interrogation, Singh reportedly told investigators that he had attacked the sleeping sadhus with the rod before attempting to burn their bodies. Police said he also told them that he wanted to stay at the temple and sought to establish control over its premises. Investigators are examining this account as part of efforts to determine the motive behind the killings and establish the exact sequence of events.

Police said the burning of the bodies appeared to have been an attempt to destroy evidence after the killings. Investigators are continuing to examine evidence collected from the temple and are questioning Singh to establish whether he acted alone and to verify his account. The partially burnt remains were recovered after local residents alerted authorities, leading to further examination of the crime scene.

Shahjahanpur Rural Superintendent of Police Diksha Bhavre said police had solved the case and arrested the accused. She said the iron rod used in the alleged crime had been recovered on the basis of information provided by Singh and that further legal proceedings were being initiated. Singh was subsequently sent to judicial custody, while the investigation continues into the circumstances and motive surrounding the deaths.

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