Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Dec 4: In a major breakthrough, Ulidih police have arrested six accused in the brutal murder of Pradeep Saw and recovered the sharp-edged weapon (chapar) used in the crime along with burnt, blood-stained clothes.
All six were sent to jail on Friday, while one accused remains absconding. Police say they have identified his location and multiple teams are conducting raids to nab him.
Those arrested include Rupesh Kumar alias Bela (22), Sonu Gorai (32), Shibu Gorai alias Kanchu (26), Lalit Singh alias Ludhu alias Babu (19), Kundan Singh alias Kundan Polio (30) and Ravi Oraon alias Lala (29).
All of them have criminal histories and several have been jailed earlier.
According to the investigation, there was no major dispute between Pradeep and the accused.
A minor provocation — merely the phrase “dekh lene” (I’ll deal with you) — allegedly triggered the conspiracy.
The group lured Pradeep to the riverbank, attacked him with a chapar and dumped his body in the river.
Police say even they are shocked that such a serious crime was plotted over such a trivial issue.
Investigators also found that Pradeep, known locally by his nickname “Aatank”, had a criminal past and had been to jail earlier.
Ulidih thana in-charge Ravindra Pandey said Pradeep had been missing for a few days, and during the inquiry the case turned into a murder investigation, following which police registered an FIR based on their own findings.
The absconding accused, Akash Singh of Sankosai Road No. 5 near Tower Maidan, is being actively hunted by police teams.
