Jammu: Police claimed to have solved a murder case within four days by arresting the accused from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district.
The accused was identified as Sardar Singh, a resident of Tridwan village in Kathua district, police said. According to police, Roop Singh, a contractor and resident of Dhanna village, was found shot dead in the intervening night of May 15 and 16 in the Lakhanpur area of Kathua district.
Following information about the incident, Lakhanpur police filed an FIR under Section 101 (murder) of BNS and the Arms Act, officials said. Later, a special investigation team (SIT) was constituted, which inspected the crime scene, collected technical and scientific evidence, and conducted extensive questioning in the area.
During the probe, police found that Sardar, who had been working as a labourer for the deceased, had gone missing after the incident without informing his family members, raising suspicion about him, officials said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Sardar had owed Roop Singh Rs 6,000 and allegedly planned a murder over the issue, they said. Police said Sardar allegedly used his father’s 12-bore gun and shot Roop while he was sleeping in his house and fled.
Multiple police teams conducted raids and searches across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir and also checked hideouts in neighbouring states. Coordination was also maintained with Himachal Pradesh Police during the operation, officials said.
The accused was apprehended from Sansarpur Terrace in Kangra district on Tuesday morning after sustained efforts and technical surveillance, they said.
During interrogation, Sardar allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime and the weapon used in the offence was also recovered, police said. Further investigation is underway, they added.
