Panchkula triple murder: Man who paid for recce held

The crime branch of the Panchkula police has arrested one more suspect in connection with the triple murder outside a resort on Morni Road here on December 23 last year.

Nikhil, a resident of Bahmanwas, Rohtak, was apprehended today from Hisar for allegedly assisting in the reconnaissance of the crime scene, according to police sources.

Nikhil is accused of aiding Surendra Kumar, alias Sindi, and Manoj, alias Jhabbal, who were arrested earlier for conducting reconnaissance of both hotels. The police said Nikhil had transferred Rs 5,000 to the duo to cover their expenses while scouting the locations. The financial link was uncovered through tracing of transactions and phone records.

The investigation in the triple murder has widened with the arrest of two sharpshooters, Sahil, alias Poli, and Vijay Gahlot, alias Kalu, from Bengaluru by the Delhi Police Special Cell.

The murders took place outside Sultanat Hotel in Burjkotia, where gangster Vinit Gahlot, alias Vicky, his 17-year-old nephew Tirath, and 22-year-old Vandana were shot dead after a birthday party. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had earlier gathered at Bella Vista Hotel before shifting to Sultanat Hotel, where the assailants carried out a planned attack.

The getaway vehicle used in the attack was recovered from the Bathinda railway station, adding another piece to the puzzle. The police also suspected that Vicky, believed to be the primary target, had ties with the Manjeet Mahal gang, which might have motivated the killings.

Two sharpshooters in Delhi police net

Two sharpshooters — Sahil, alias Poli, and Vijay Gahlot, alias Kalu — believed to be behind the Panchkula murder, were arrested by Delhi Police Special Cell sleuths from Bengaluru on Thursday. A police official confirmed that they would soon be brought to Panchkula for interrogation in the murder case. The two are on a seven-day remand with the Delhi police for crimes in the national capital.