Hindu extremist accused in murder and vandalism arrested

Delhi police Thursday arrested a Hindu extremist who is accused of murdering a Christian priest and vandalizing several churches last year.

Shailendra Chauhan alias Uday Singh, an alleged aide of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, prime accused in 2008 Malegaon blasts case, was arrested for his involvement in several attacks on churches, police sources said.

In 2008, October 19, the accused murdered Fr Conrad Dominic Xavier (25) at Sector 20 in Noida. Again early this year, the 25-year-old radical Hindu allegedly attacked a Christian priest with a poison filled injection.

During investigation it was revealed that Chauhan was a close aide of Sadhvi Pragya Singh and is a member of two right wing extremist organisations - Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh and Abhinav Bharat.

A case was also registered against the accused in October 2008, after a church was vandalized and desecrated in Sarita Vihar.

According to the police, Chouhan has admitted to killing the Christian priest and attacking churches in the capital. "During preliminary interrogation, Chauhan confessed his role in the three cases," media quoted S.S. Yadav, deputy commissioner of police (northeast), as saying.

He was arrested while "trying to meet another person involved in cases of vandalism and arson at churches," Yadav said.

The police suspect Chauhan's involvement in several other crimes against the church and its clergy.