Lucknow, Apr 13 : The body of an Indian Justice Party (IJP) nominee for the Jaunpur Lok Sabha constituency was found hanging from a tree on Monday.

Forty-eight-year-old Bahadur Sonkar''s body was found near Raja Ka Talab, barely 500 metres from his home in Ahiyapur-Rasheedabad locality, 200 km from here.

Central observers of the Jaunpur Lok Sabha seat have reached the spot and are investigating the case.

The tragic death of Sonkar has sparked off protests by party supporters and family members, according to whom a ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate is responsible for the killing.

Sonkar, who was contesting against the BSP''s Dhananjay Singh, had reportedly been concerned about his safety and had even asked for police protection from the Election Commission.

IJP President Udit Raj has blamed the Election Commission for the death, as they did not provide security to the candidate even after repeated requests.

Raj is demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the case.

Meanwhile, the police has claimed that it is a murder and not a suicide case.

Jaunpur District Magistrate Aparna Upadhyaya has refused to comment on the issue. (ANI)