Broker murder: Police clueless

Even a week after the body of diamond broker Nagji Patel was recovered near Vasravi village in Mangrol taluka, police are clueless about who...

Even a week after the body of diamond broker Nagji Patel was recovered near Vasravi village in Mangrol taluka, police are clueless about who killed the victim.

Though police have flatly ruled out the possibility of his abduction, Nagji was carrying diamonds worth Rs 1.5 crore on him. According to records, he went missing from Heera Bazaar in Mahidharpura. His body was found by Mangrol police on the same day, but it could be identified only the next evening.

Initially police had ruled out abduction with the reasoning that Nagji was last seen at a pan shop around 1.30pm and could not have been abducted from here.

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Nagji’s relative Dhanji Patel, who had seen him there, told police: ‘‘Nagjibhai was with a six-foot tall person who had four gold rings on his right hand and a thick gold chain round his neck. They ordered two lemon sodas, then went their way.’’

DCP (North) Harekrishna Patel, who is investigating the case, refused to divulge information. Patel said: ‘‘It is not proper to reveal anything at this stage. Allegations regarding police inaction is absurd.’’

Though officers are keeping mum too, details collected by Indian Express revealed that police have arrested Bhura Uchhdi, owner of a field near Vasravi village.

Others arrested are Veenu Badhada, Natu Nakrani, Ramesh Nakrani and Jaisukh Odia — all residents of Heerabaug, Varachha. Meanwhile, Odia’s description matches the identity of the man spotted with the victim.