Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
On the morning of July 11, a banana vendor spotted a man lying unconscious along Surajkund Road and called the police. Responding to the call, a police team reached the location and found the body that could not be identified. Twelve separate teams were formed by Southeast District Police to piece together what had happened. Around 500 CCTV feeds from MB Road, Surajkund Road, and Sangam Vihar were examined, said police. Locals and passersby were questioned, but it took weeks for police to nab two men linked to a murder case.
During questioning, Venkatesh, the key accused, allegedly admitted that he suspected Rakesh, the victim, of having an illicit relationship with his wife. He also claimed to have lent money to Rakesh multiple times, which was never returned. The motive, according to police, was a mix of jealousy and financial resentment. Gaurav, the other accused who helped him, was also nabbed.
“An idea from a senior officer was received regarding the comparison of fingerprints. After analysis by the Fingerprint Bureau in Rampura, the identity of the deceased was confirmed as Rakesh (35 years), a resident of Ambedkar Camp in Madangir. Upon local enquiry in Madangir area, it was disclosed that the victim worker as a painter,” said DCP South East Hemant Tiwari. Following a post-mortem, a case was registered on Friday under sections 103(1) and 238(a) of the BNS.
During the police’s review of CCTV footage from Madangir, one frame showed a man wearing the same shirt as the deceased. Ground verification led to the identification of Gaurav (25), a resident of Madangir. Under sustained questioning, Gaurav revealed that the deceased had been assaulted by his associate, Vanketesh.
“A raid was conducted at the house of Vankatesh…and an eye witness Ritik Diwakar (24) was questioned. In sustained questioning, he said that his father-in-law Vankatesh and Gaurav had beaten the deceased at the house…by belt, plastic rod and later punched and kicked him and hit his head on the wall forcibly,” said DCP Tiwari. Based on this account, both Gaurav and Venkatesh were arrested on Friday. The investigators later recovered the autorickshaw that was used to transport and dump Rakesh’s body near the Karni Singh Shooting Range. The belt and plastic rod used in the assault were also seized as evidence.
Venkatesh, 47, has a previous case under the Excise Act registered at Ambedkar Nagar police station, while Gaurav has a past record under the Arms Act at the same police station, said police.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
