Kalkaji murder solved?

Two days after a group of robbers struck at two south Delhi homes — killing a retired ministry of Information and Broadcasting deputy secretary and grievously injuring a 76-year-old retired school teacher — police arrested four people for their alleged involvement in the crime on Friday.

Two days after a group of robbers struck at two south Delhi homes — killing a retired ministry of Information and Broadcasting deputy secretary and grievously injuring a 76-year-old retired school teacher — police arrested four people for their alleged involvement in the crime on Friday.

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Janak Raj Likhi (86) and Vidya Gulabani (76), residents of Kalkaji Extension area, were robbed and assaulted by a gang of unidentified assailants on Wednesday morning.

The accused have been identified as Saleem, Sonu, Dina Bandu Mallik alias Bengali and Usman. “Saleem, Sonu and three of their associates executed the entire operation. Mallik and Usman acted as receivers of the stolen merchandise,” said Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S Dadwal.

While Saleem and Sonu are vagabonds, Usman is a scrap dealer and Mallik is reportedly a Ministry of Defence employee and was serving as a peon at the Military Intelligence wing at the Army Headquarters.

“Mallik has been absent from duty since May, 2009 and has two separate government accommodations in south Delhi registered under his name,” said a senior police officer.

According to police, two articles, a silver coin and an Italian hat, helped investigating officers crack the case.

“Initial intelligence revealed that a group of youths, who have been involved in a number of petty thefts in Kalkaji area in the past, would assemble at the Hans Raj Sethi Park,” said Virender Singh Chahal, additional CP (southeast).

A police team overpowered Saleem and Sonu as soon as they entered the said park and questioned them about the case.

“A silver coin bearing Vidya Gulabani’s grand daughter’s name and a hat belonging to Janak Raj Likhi was recovered from the duo before interrogation. They confessed their hand in the crime,” Chahal said.

During the ensuing interrogation, the duo reportedly told police that they had consumed alcohol at the park before targeting the senior citizens.