Murder of Suresh Raina’s kin: 6 accused belong to Rajasthan

JAIPUR: A day after arresting three persons from

Chirawa

town of

Jhunjhunu

in connection to the twin murders and robbery at

cricketer Suresh Raina

’s uncle house in Tharyal village of Pathankot district of Punjab, the Punjab police on Thursday stated that six more members of the same gang who are yet to be arrested also belong to Rajasthan.

Except a few accused, majority of them are natives of slums of Chirawa and Pilani towns on Jhujhunu.

On the intervening night of August 19-20 at 2am, an incident of house-breaking took place in the Tharyal village under police station Shahpurkandi of district Pathankot in Punjab. Unknown assailants had attacked the uncle and other family members and looted cash and jewellery. Ashok Kumar, uncle of the cricketer, died on the spot, while his cousin Kaushal Kumar succumbed to injuries on August 31. Raina’s aunt Asha Rani is undergoing treatment.

“After an intense investigation, we zeroed in on three accused from Chirawa town of Rajasthan. With the help of Rajasthan police, we have arrested three persons identified as Sawan, a native of Uttar Pradesh, Muhobbat and Shahrukh Khan for the murder and robbery,” said a senior officer of Punjab police on Thursday.

During the interrogation of all the above suspects, it was revealed that they were living in slums of Chirawa and Pilani of Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan.

“Before committing the robbery, few of them visit the locality to do recce so as to identify the target house, which is especially on the outskirts of the locality. They reached the spot in the groups of two or three persons following the natural land marks like canals, railway lines, high voltage electricity wires etc. After committing the crime, they moved back in group of two or three people and meet at pre-designated place. They have committed such crimes in Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and various parts of Punjab,” said an officer.

Police added that others accused from Rajasthan who are yet to be arrested included – Rashid, Rehan, Jabrana, Waphila and an unknown associated of the gang members. “All of them are natives of Chirawa and Pilani situated slums. Our teams are in Rajasthan and they would also be arrested soon,” said an officer.