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Realtor Bhardwaj’s ‘shooters’, two others in Delhi Police net New Delhi, April 1
The police said Purshotam and Sunil allegedly shot Bhardwaj at point blank range at his farmhouse on March 26. They are the same men seen in the CCTV camera footage collected from the entrance to the resort, jogging alongside the getaway vehicle being driven out of the gate. Sunil, wearing a sky blue shirt, is opening the gate while Purshotam is waving the gun and pointing it at someone, who is not visible in the footage. According to the police, Purshotam was pointing the gun at a security guard. Investigators said they first detained Rakesh, who squealed on Amit. The police then caught Amit, while the other two were absconding. The accused have revealed the name of another man, also identified as Rakesh. They claimed he was given the contract to kill Bhardwaj for a couple of lakhs. “We learnt that they were lying after verifying their statements. We have not arrested the other Rakesh, as Purshotam and Sunil are making false claims and changing their statements,” said investigators.Purshotam and Sunil arrived at the Patiala House court here today to surrender and were nabbed by the police. Investigators will now question the four accused. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South District), Chhaya Sharma, said, “The motive will be unearthed as the investigation proceeds.” “The Crime Branch had specific inputs that Purshotam and Sunil would come to the Patiala House Court in Delhi today. Purshotam was caught outside the court, but Sunil managed to get inside. The court later handed him over to the police,” police sources said. He entered the court of Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Prashant Sharma to surrender, but he directed the police to take him away. “Is this the way you behave in a court room? Don’t you know that the accused is charged in a murder case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code? I will not take up the matter today. Take the accused out of the court room,” the MM said. The Crime Branch had been tracking Purshotam and Sunil. Both are from Delhi, but have several relatives in Haryana. Raids were conducted at the houses of their relatives in Bhiwani, Jhajjar and Sonepat. The police are still investigating whether Bhardwaj’s family had a role in his murder. His wife and two sons did not stay with him. He owned about 15 properties, including some in Delhi and Haridwar. He was reportedly the richest BSP candidate for the 15th Lok Sabha elections in 2009 with declared assets of over Rs 600 crore. “Bhardwaj probably didn’t concede any portion of his property to his family. This may have led to strained relations between him and them,” investigators said. The police will ascertain if an “insider” was involved in the killing as the murderers were familiar with the area and Bhardwaj’s routine. “They did a good reconnaissance of the 25-acre farmhouse resort before committing the crime. Bhardwaj’s personal security officers were on leave when he was shot dead. The attackers knew the duration and location of his morning walk,” said investigators.
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A senior Delhi Police officer identified the main accused as Rakesh, Amit, Purshotam Rana and Sunil Mann. Rakesh is the owner of the metallic grey Skoda car Bhardwaj’s killers used to escape after the crime. Amit was driving the vehicle.