Love angle blurs property motive

For 39-year-old US-based NRI Manoj Patel, the dream run ended as fast as his rise. Three days before he was to return to the US, Patel fell to the bullets of two sharpshooters on April 4, sending cops into a tizzy.

The police claimed to have cracked the case with the arrest of one accused, but five others, including a Virginia-based businessman, continue to elude arrest. Police got information that Patel had a property dispute with Virginia businessman Navrang Brahmabhatt, who also hails from Vadodara. During investigation, police found that Navrang8217;s brother, Pradeep had been missing from his Manjalpur house since the murder. Pradeep, who was arrested about 10 days ago, admitted the murder was a fallout of the property dispute. He also revealed he had approached two city-based criminals, Kalpesh Kachia and Kiran Jingar, and offered them Rs 5 lakh to execute the plan. The two had in turn hired two sharpshooters.

But the investigation has thrown up other theories too. From a letter written by wife Ila and recovered from Patel when he was shot dead to his alleged extra-marital relationships, the theories have done little to clear up the motive behind the killing.

Ila, who arrived here after the murder, denied there was anything wrong with their marriage. Of the letter found with Patel, she said she had written it on New Year8217;s Day, and it was an expression of love.