THE RATIBAD police on Wednesday arrested four persons in connection with the murder of a man whose body was found buried on Tuesday. The deceased, Prem Lal, 45, was allegedly killed for trying to molest a relative.
Four of his relatives including his nephew who have been arrested have confessed to their crime. SP Anant Kumar Singh said after the body was recovered, police inquired from residents in all neighbouring villages about missing persons and found that Prem had not been seen for almost a fortnight. His stepfather Heeru identified the body that had already decomposed.
During interrogation the police found that six months ago Prem had a dispute with his relatives and there had been a patch up two months back.
At that time, Prem allegedly had illicit relations with the wife of one of the accused Kailash. After the compromise between Prem and his relatives, he had begun to go to their place but the tensions existed. On December 19, Prem visited the house of Prahlad, 22, who happens to be his distant nephew. However, under the influence of liquor he allegedly molested Prahlad’s wife.
Angered by this Prahlad attacked Prem and strangulated him to death. Later, Prem along with the help of other relatives including Kailash, 50, Lalu, 30, and Balbir, took the body to a barren land and buried it. They took Prem’s clothes and burnt them at home and destroyed any evidence. They put salt in the grave so that the body would decompose soon. However, during interrogation the accused confessed to the murder.
Angered by this Prahlad attacked Prem and strangulated him to death. Later, Prem along with the help of other relatives including Kailash, 50, Lalu, 30, and Balbir, took the body to a barren land and buried it. They took Prem’s clothes and burnt them at home and destroyed any evidence. They put salt in the grave so that the body would decompose soon. However, during interrogation the accused confessed to the murder.