Cops to verify leads with arrested builder

Suresh Bijlani,accused in the February 16 murder of Navi Mumbai builder S K Lohariya,was remanded in the Mumbai Police Crime Branch custody till July 29 on Wednesday

Suresh Bijlani,accused in the February 16 murder of Navi Mumbai builder S K Lohariya,was remanded in the Mumbai Police Crime Branch custody till July 29 on Wednesday. The Crime Branch will now interrogate him to verify the leads they have found so far. He was also named by Lohariya in his dying declaration.

According to Crime Branch officials,Bijlani introduced arrested accused Emmanuel Amolik,a former policeman,to co-accused Anurag Garg. Police said investigations indicate that it was Garg who first broached the subject of killing Lohariya due to the frequent court cases and RTI applications he kept filing against Garg,Bijlani,Sumit Bachchewar,S P Agrawal and Bhupesh Gupta.

Amolik was a frequent visitor to Bijlanis office and would meet him three-four times a week. Through him,he became acquainted with the others and started staying in touch with them. Garg ultimately gave the contract to kill Lohariya to Amolik,who then put together his team and executed the hit. Bijlani and the other accused knew of the plot and went along with it. Amolik also visited Bijlanis office in Navi Mumbai after Lohariya was shot, said a Crime Branch officer.

Story continues below this ad

The officer added that while the interrogation of Amolik and his arrested accomplices has given a narrative on the execution of the crime,the conspiracy part is still unclear. Bachchewar and Gupta were arrested and interrogated,while Agarwals anticipatory bail application is with the sessions court.

Some leads have come to light during interrogation of Bachchewar and Gupta. We need to cross-check these with Bijlani to get a clear picture of the conspiracy, the officer added.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram