Abhey Diwan, 27, his wife Mahima, 25, Jatin 25, and Runeet Gulati, 20 were arrested yesterday after police identified the deceased as Shivam Kapoor alias Panday -- a resident of Malka Ganj.
During probe it came to light that Kapoor was last seen with Gulati, a senior official said, adding with the arrest, "this blind murder case has been solved".
Police had recovered the semi-burnt body of Kapoor from near the bank of a canal at Ekta Camp AU Block Pitam Puraon July 18. The hands of the deceased were tied with a piece of cloth while his mouth and eyes with medical tape.
During probe, police got a clue from a boy living in the Ekta Camp that body was dumped by a few people including a woman, who came in a car and also tried to burn the body by pouring petrol, police said, adding he was identified as Kapoor who was missing since July 17.
Police zeroed in on Gulati, as the deceased was last seen with him and his friend Diwan.
"Diwan, a resident of Rohini who works as property dealer, had a bad habit of gambling and betting and had lost Rs 70 lakh. He was under pressure from bookies for money, so along with his friends Jatin and Runeet, he planned to kidnap someone from a wealthly family and demand ransom for clear his dues," said P Karunakaran, DCP, North West district.
During interrogation, they accused said they decided to abduct Kapoor as his father had sold a property and had enough money to pay ransom.
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On July 17, Diwan and Gulati asked Kapoor to get into their car on the pretext of discussing some issue. Soon after, they shot Kapoor in the stomach, tied his hands and attacked him with a sharp cutter.
Both of them took Diwan's wife Mahima and went to Faridabad to bring Jatin, who is common friend of Diwan and Gulati.
Mahima joined them as she had suggested that dumping the deceased's body would be easy, if they are accompanied by a woman, the official said.