Ex-MLA, wanted in BJP leader s murder, surrenders (Lead)

Ghaziabad Oct 17 (IANS) Former Uttar Pradesh MLA Amar Pal Sharma wanted for the killing of a BJP leader surrendered in a court here on Tuesday police said.

Sharma who once represented Sahibabad constituency in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly gave himself up after the police announced a reward of Rs 25 000 on his head. They also obtained a court order to attach his assets.

Earlier the police had arrested a contract killer who shot dead the BJP leader Gajendra Bhati in Khoda locality bordering Delhi.

The criminal allegedly told police that he killed Bhati at Sharma s behest. Sharma who was initially with the Bahujan Samaj Party but later joined the Congress has now been sent to the Dasna Jail Ghaziabad s Senior Superintendent of Police H.N. Singh said.

Yogesh Bhati the brother of the deceased told the police that his brother was shot dead at Sharma s behest.

Sharma the former MLA insisted that that he was being framed due to political reasons. He sought a CBI probe in the case.

--IANS
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