20yr old arrested for murder of ex-BJP SC Morcha office-bearer

Jaipur: The district rural police Friday arrested a 20-year-old man for allegedly murdering former BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha mandal office-bearer and scrap dealer Ramavatar Aswal (55) in Manoharpur town following a dispute over the price of an old cooler.

Aswal was found dead in his scrap warehouse under the Manoharpur police station area Monday, triggering protests by family members and local residents demanding swift action.

Jaipur Rural SP Hanuman Prasad Meena said the accused, identified as Sohail Khan (20) of Lohar Mandi, Manoharpur, visited the scrap yard to buy an old cooler to keep pigeons Monday evening. An argument allegedly broke out over the price, after which Khan is accused of striking Aswal on the head with an iron angle. Police said that even after Aswal fell, the accused allegedly attacked him repeatedly with a knife, causing injuries to the neck and hand before fleeing.

A murder case was registered after the victim’s family filed a complaint, stating they tried to contact Aswal later that night but received no response. His nephew subsequently went to the warehouse and found him dead with severe head and neck injuries.

During the probe, investigators reviewed footage from nearly 150 CCTV cameras in and around the area. Police said technical evidence and local intelligence led them to Khan, who was detained for questioning and later arrested after he allegedly confessed to the crime. Police said efforts are under way to recover the iron angle and knife allegedly used in the killing.