New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) The Delhi Police Crime Branch on Monday solved a sensational kidnapping-cum-murder case registered at Borio Police Station in Sahibganj district of Jharkhand. The accused, who had allegedly fled to Delhi after the crime, was apprehended following coordinated efforts between the Delhi Police and Jharkhand Police.

According to Delhi Police, the case was registered vide FIR No. 42/26 dated May 21, under Sections 140(1), 103(1), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Borio, Sahibganj, Jharkhand, after one Champai Marandi went missing under suspicious circumstances.

During the course of the investigation, the victim’s body was recovered from a jungle area nearly 10 days after the murder, following which murder charges were added to the case. Police investigation revealed that the deceased was last seen consuming liquor with the accused persons. After allegedly committing the murder, the accused concealed the body in the forest in an attempt to destroy evidence and later fled the village to evade arrest.

The breakthrough came after Head Constable Gaurav of the Crime Branch developed credible information regarding the presence of one of the accused, identified as Sukhdev Murmu alias Tala, near Hanuman Mandir in Yamuna Bazar, Delhi. The informer disclosed that the accused had confessed before some persons about his involvement, along with his associates, in the murder committed in his native village in Sahibganj district. It was also revealed that the body had been hidden in a jungle area after the crime.

The information was discreetly shared with and verified by the SHO of Police Station Borio, Sub Inspector Rohit, who confirmed the registration of the kidnapping case and informed the Crime Branch that murder sections had subsequently been added after the recovery of the body. He further confirmed that the accused persons had been absconding since the commission of the offence.

Acting swiftly on the verified inputs, the Crime Branch team mounted surveillance near Hanuman Mandir, Yamuna Bazar, and strategically laid a trap in the area. After sustained surveillance and technical monitoring, the accused was apprehended at the instance of the secret informer at around 11 a.m. on May 24.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed his identity as Sukhdev Murmu alias Tala, a resident of PS Borio, Sahibganj district, Jharkhand, aged around 30 years. He further revealed that on May 12, along with co-accused Babuji Marandi, Mangal Tudu, and deceased Champai Marandi, he had consumed liquor together.

Police said that during the drinking session, a heated argument broke out, after which the co-accused allegedly strangulated Champai Marandi while Sukhdev Murmu actively assisted them in committing the murder.

The operation was carried out by a team comprising SI Mohit, SI Dinesh, HC Pankaj, HC Ankur, HC Harender, HC Karamjeet, HC Gaurav, and HC Ashwani. The operation was led by Inspector Vinay Kumar under the close supervision of ACP Satendra Mohan, ACP/Central Range/Crime, and the overall supervision of senior officers of the Crime Branch.

Police said the accused was apprehended under Section 35.1(A) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) at PS Crime Branch. Jharkhand Police were subsequently informed, following which a police team reached Delhi and took the accused on transit remand from the court.

According to police, the accused, Sukhdev Murmu alias Tala, is a native of Sahibganj district and works as a farm labourer for his livelihood. He is illiterate and allegedly addicted to liquor consumption.

–IANS

jk/dpb