Contract killing: Cops launch hunt for cable operator

The Junagadh police on Saturday arrested one Harpal Kathi,a resident of Rajkot,and his accomplice Raju Khuman,a resident of Junagadh,for allegedly killing Bharwad. Their interrogation revealed that Zala had given the duo Rs 5 lakh to kill 35-year-old Bharwad.

The police believe that Zala,a cable operator in the Devpara area,feared retaliation from Bharward,as the former had set the house and motorbike of Bharward’s brother Jitu on fire after he had misbehaved with his wife.

According to the police,Bharwad’s body with 16 stab wounds was found on the outskirts of Jetpur. The police had recovered five SIM cards from the spot,which helped them know that Bharward had been in constant touch with Kathi and Khuman before he died.

The police said that Kathi and Khuman revealed that Zala had asked them to befriend Bharwad and kill him when an opportunity comes.

Kathi reportedly promised Bharwad,after he fled from police custody,to help him settle down in Junagadh with former’s girlfriend Anita. For the same,Kathi had asked him to get in touch with his accomplice Khuman in Junagadh.

On the day of murder,the duo called up Bharwad from Jetpur,where Anita lives,to Junagadh,the police said,adding that they drank alcohol and then moved for Dhoraji for dinner. On their way,the duo stabbed Bharwad,who died on the spot.