M A I N   N E W S

Killer couple in police net
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 25
He is just 28 and his alleged beloved only 23. They would easily pass off as any other next door boy and girl, but hidden behind their innocent looks is their shocking USP — they earn their livelihood by killing persons and that too in such a manner that even hardened criminal would look up in awe at their meticulous planning and its execution.

Meet Rajeev, alias Raja, and Pooja, alias Neeru, who destroyed several homes in order to build their own dream home and live peacefully.

The duo was caught today by the city police for allegedly murdering a young jeweller, Rajesh, a jeweller couple, Darshan Singh and Paramjit Kaur, a goldsmith, Jaswant Rai, and attempting to kill a police informer.

The DGP, Mr S.S. Virk, announced a cash award of Rs 1 lakh for the police team that nabbed the duo.

According to the police, the love story between the two and their greed to strike rich led them into the world of crime. Neeru, originally belonging to Andretta, was smitten by the charm of Rajeev, who used to work as a reporter with a local cable network.

Rajeev was class XII pass, while Neeru was a matriculate. The boy lived at Tajgunj, while the girl lived at Haibowal. It was during one of his assignments in a Haibowal colony that he met her.

By the time the relationship reached the stage of marriage, Rajeev had changed several jobs and was finally head deep in lottery trade, besides lifting vehicles and indulging in snatchings. Police sources said he had disclosed to the girl everything about his work.

Later, Neeru also joined the world of crime. She told the police that it was she who told Rajeev to stop minor snatchings and go in for big strikes so that they could live peacefully and start some business.

Their effort to fulfil their dream ruined the family of Rajesh, owner of Raghav Jewellers. Neeru took the job of a salesgirl at his shop. After one month, she was able to bring him into the clutches of Rajeev and his accomplices, who murdered him and looted the shop.

The duo could not get much cash and due to the police vigil, they could not sell the 2.5 kg of gold jewellery stolen from the shop. So, they allegedly planned another major strike.

So daring had they become that they returned to the city where they were most wanted, did recce of the house of jeweller Darshan Singh and finally killed him and his wife.

The DGP, Punjab, said he had not seen such sharp and strategic planning by any criminal of that age.