Noted astrologer and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's family priest Pandit Ramesh Tiwari was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur town Thursday, police said.
Ramesh Tiwari was sitting with his brother outside his house in the Sarpataha area of Jaunpur town when the assailants sprayed them with bullets, a police official said.
Both were rushed to hospital where the astrologer was declared dead, while his brother continues to battle for his life.
The assailants were reportedly dressed in police uniforms and opened fire on the brothers with sophisticated weapons. The police believe some political rivalry behind Ramesh Tiwari's killing.
Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Arun Kumar has been rushed to Jaunpur to take up the investigation while Jaunpur police have launched a manhunt to nab the assailants.