Murder accused found hanged by his drawstring in Karjan lockup

Vadodara: A man accused of murder allegedly hanged himself using his pyjama drawstring (naada) inside the lockup of Karjan police station early on Wednesday morning.Police said Ratilal Vasava, 70, took his own life when the police guard stepped outside briefly. "Vasava removed his naada and hanged himself from the window. The deputy superintendent of police is conducting an inquiry into the death," said B M Patel, police inspector, Karjan. Lawyers of the Baroda Bar Association demanded a CID inquiry, as the murder victim was the father of advocate Aniruddh Chauhan. Chauhan raised doubts over the alleged suicide and said his family wanted justice. Police had arrested Vasava on Monday for the murder of Kanaksinh Chauhan near Kurali village in Karjan. Kanaksinh had gone missing on April 18, after which his family lodged a missing person's complaint. His body was found in a canal near Kurali village on Sunday. According to police, there had been a financial dispute between Chauhan and Vasava. Vasava's wife was hospitalized during the Covid pandemic, and he spent a large sum on her treatment. He had then borrowed Rs 3.5 lakh on interest from Chauhan. According to investigators, Vasava said that although he had repaid the loan in full with interest, Kanaksinh kept demanding more money. Allegedly distressed by these demands, Vasava called Kanaksinh to a secluded spot on the outskirts of Kurali village on April 18 and strangled him with a nylon rope. He later allegedly disposed of the body in the canal.