Mastermind, two accomplices arrested for murder in Bhogpur

The Jalandhar (Rural) police have cracked the sensational Bhogpur murder case with the arrest of three people including its mastermind and his two accomplices. The main suspect was apprehended from the Chandigarh International Airport while attempting to flee to Dubai following an intense month-long investigation.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Arun Kumar, alias Aru (mastermind), resident of Ward No. 6, Guru Nanak Nagar, Bhogpur; Mandeep Kumar, alias Mani, a resident of Guru Nanak Nagar, Bhogpur, and Ranjit Kumar, alias Kaka Baiya, a resident of Navi Abadi, Bhogpur.

Divulging details to the media, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said on September 22, Jaspal Singh alias Shalu, was brutally murdered near Moga Gate in Bhogpur. The murder was meticulously planned and executed, with the victim being shot thrice in the head.

Special teams were constituted under SP (Investigation) Jasroop Kaur Bath, DSP Kulwant Singh and Inspector Sikander Singh Virk, SHO, Bhogpur, said Khakh. Inspector Sikander Singh Virk conducted raids at various locations before finally nabbing the suspect at the airport, he said.

“We had issued look-out circulars at all airports. Through our intelligence network, we learnt about Arun Kumar’s attempt to flee abroad,” the SSP said

During interrogation, the suspect revealed that personal enmity stemming from multiple prior confrontations led to the murder. The police investigation uncovered that the suspects had stalked the victim on the day of the murder, finally executing their plan in the night.

Earlier, three accomplices of the mastermind were arrested by the police team. Those arrested were identified as Ravi Kumar, alias Ravi, a resident of Gehlara; Gurjit Singh, alias Gurji, a resident of Binpalke; and Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi.

The police recovered one .32-bore pistol and one .315-bore country-made pistol from the possession of the suspects. During interrogation, the suspects revealed that they had procured the weapons from Ranjit Kumar, a migrant, who had been running an inter-state arms supply network. Acting swiftly, the police team apprehended Ranjit Kumar, who later confessed to supplying weapons across Punjab at prices ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 per pistol.

The police team also recovered three .32-bore pistols, including the murder weapon, along with six live rounds. The Splendor motorcycle used in the crime was recovered from one Soravdeep Singh, alias Sorav, who had been concealing evidence since the murder.

A case was registered under Sections 103(1), 191(3), 190 and 61(2) of the BNS and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act at the Bhogpur police station.

The suspects would be produced in a court, with the police seeking extended remand for further investigation into the arms supply network and potential involvement of more individuals in the murder.