Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Taking idea from popular crime show, Crime Patrol, and inspired by web series, Bhaukal, a man planned murder of his brother-in-law (husband of wife’s sister). The accused strangulated the victim and placed bangles etc on spot to mislead the cops. Gautam Nagar police cracked the blind murder case on Tuesday and arrested the accused who confessed his crime.
According to ACP Rakesh Baghel, 30-year-old Sonu Gupta, a native of Ahmedabad, used to polish utensils at the shop of local resident Rafiq. He lived at Rafiq’s house in Krishna Nagar Colony. On February 14, Sonu’s body was found in the room, which was locked from outside. Police and FSL team investigated the spot and found bangles and other cosmetics at the crime scene. Post-mortem revealed that Sonu was strangulated to death two days back.
Following investigations, police rounded up Sonu’s brother-in-law Navratan Gupta (42) of Jaunpur district in Uttar Pradesh who runs a juice shop in Mumbai. During interrogation, Navratan confessed to have killed Sonu. Navratan was in a one-sided love with Sonu’s wife but she repelled his advances. Navratan planned to kill Sonu with a motive to woo his wife in his absence. The fact that Sonu was in an illicit relationship with another woman also emboldened him for murder. The accused has been taken on police remand for further questioning in the case, ACP added.
The planning
Navratan switched off his mobile phone and reached Bhopal. He borrowed a phone from a person to call Sonu who received him at the railway station. Navratan stayed for a day and strangulated Sonu while he was asleep. To frame Sonu’s paramour in the crime, Navratan placed bangles, cosmetics etc at the spot. He wanted to make police believe that the woman who was living with Sonu had killed him. Navratan carefully chose the escape route in a bid to avoid CCTV cameras.
CDR, CCTV gave clues
Aware of electronic surveillance and CDRs in crime investigations, Navratan switched off his phone before leaving Mumbai. He used a co passenger’s phone to call Sonu. However, he had to switch on his phone as he forgot Sonu’s mobile number and had to take it out from the contact list. Switching on the phone for a few seconds gave police a vital clue as his location was recorded in the CDR.
Police also spotted him in some CCTV footages near the crime scene. Police also questioned the woman with whom Sonu was in illicit relationship but found her innocent. Police also traced the shop from where Navratan purchased bangles, cosmetics etc where the woman trader said that Navratan purchased bangles without enquiring about size etc which was unusual.
