Killer of witness in Hasan murder case nabbed

RAJKOT: An absconding murderer was nabbed within 24 hours after he had killed Mukesh Vyas, the key witness in the three-day old Altaf Hasan murder case, on Thursday.
According to police, accused Arwind Koli was nabbed from his hideout and the knife used in the killing was recovered from him. Arwind had inflicted 14 stabbing wounds to Vyas, killing him on the spot.
"During his interrogation, Arwind stated that he had killed Vyas in self defence. According to Arwind, Vyas happened to be Hasan's brother in-law and had come armed with a knife to avenge Hasan's killing," said inspector Gaurang Patel of Thorala police station.
Vyas, who had identified the accused in the Hasan murder case before the police, was killed when he had visited a pan shop on Wednesday evening. Arwind, brother of murder accused Ashwin Rathod, and his associates attacked Vyas. Vyas was brought dead to civil hospital.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Arwind wanted to settle score with Vyas.
Following the identification, police on Monday had arrested Hitesh Manga, his brother Bharat Manga and relatives Ashwin Rathod, Sanjay Gangadiya, Jitu Gohel and Navghan Ghamecha, who had attacked Hasan at Aji river bank on November 29. Hasan was killed after he was dealt with several blows from baseball bats and repeatedly stabbed.
After their arrest, the accused told the police that they had killed Hasan to avenge eve teasing of their sister in Chunaravad area. The accused alleged that Hasan had molested Hitesh' sister Jashu on Saturday.
Hasan's murder was planned after Jashu complained to Hitesh, who in turn, mobilised his family members to carry out the attack. Hasan was caught from his hideout in Aji river bank, following a tip-off, and was done to death.
Hasan had a criminal past. Out recently from jail after having been booked under prevention of anti-social act, Hasan was accused of several crimes including attempt to murder, robbery, theft and physical assault.
Source: Sandesh