Inspector, SI, three constables held for double murder

Five policemen, including an inspector, were arrested today in connection with alleged murder of two persons, who were facing criminal charges, here early this month, police said.

"Inspector Sukhvindersinh Gaddu, sub-inspector S B Solanki and constables -- Hitesh Parmar, Chetansinh Gohil and Anilsinh Gohil -- have been arrested today in connection with murder of two accused in criminal cases on January 1," Assistant Commissioner of Police, M J Solanki told a press conference here.

Shaktisinh Zala and Prakash Lunagariya, accused in separate criminal cases, were found injured near Aji GIDC area and were taken to Rajkot civil hospital by police, where they were declared dead.
 

Joint Commissioner of Police Deepak Bhatt had then said that the duo were killed in an internal fight that broke out within the five members of the gang over sharing loot money of Rs 5,700.

However, Lunagariya's father Devrajbhai, and Zala's mother Neetaba accused five policemen attached with Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) and Thorala police station in the city of killing their sons.

Based on allegations levelled by families, an FIR was lodged with the DCB on January 6, 2017, and ACP Solanki was asked to probe the matter.

"After a thorough inquiry, we found that the five policemen were involved in the double murder," Solanki said.

"A DCB team, comprising inspector Gaddu, sub-inspector Solanki and constable Hitesh Parmar, had detained the two and they were killed in custody. The DCB team then handed over the matter to Thorala police on January 1 for investigation of offense registered against Prakash and Zala," he said.

The arrests were made on the basis of statements given by three accomplices of Zala and Lunagariya, who were in police custody since January 1, and statements of family members of the deceased, the senior official said.

Lunagariya's family accepted his body only after city Police Commissioner assured them of taking necessary action in this regard.