Woman’s murder cracked, six nabbed

The Ludhiana police solved the murder of a married woman, Lipsy, alias Manvi Mittal (35), with the arrest of six persons. Deceased ‘s husband Anokh Mittal, a businessman and also a worker of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), turned out to be the key conspirator. He hatched the conspiracy in connivance with his girlfriend, with whom the suspect had an extra marital affair for a long time. Both hired five contract killers at Rs 2.50 lakh and Rs 50,000 was given in advance while the remaining amount was to be given after committing the murder.

The suspects were identified as deceased ‘s husband Anokh Mittal (35) of the CMC Road area, his girlfriend Pratiksha (24), contract killers Amritpal Singh, alias Balli (26), Gurdeep Singh, alias Mann (25), Sonu Singh (24), all residents of Nandpur village in Sahnewal, and Sagardeep Singh, alias Teji (30), of Dhandari Kalan. The police recovered a Maruti Ritz car (bearing registration number PB10DI3881) of Anokh, one Maruti Swift car (without registration number), one Hyundai i20 car (HR26BH1843) used by the suspects in the crime.

One of the key contract killers, Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, a resident of Dhandari Kalan, was yet to be arrested by the police. He went underground after committing the crime.

The woman was found murdered in the Dehlon area on the night of February 15. Her husband concocted a story that they were attacked and looted by robbers, which led to the death of his wife. He caught lying during police investigation. Mittal had told the police that while they were returning home in their car after having dinner at a restaurant, he stopped the car to answer the nature’s call when the suspects, who came in another car, attacked them. They first assaulted him and he fell unconscious. Later, when he regained consciousness, he found his wife lying dead in the car. After which, he informed the police.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Kuldeep Singh Chahal while addressing a press conference said it was a well-planned murder. Anokh knew the key contract killer Gurpreet. He hired him, who further arranged four more contract killers. Anokh intentionally stopped the car at an isolated place in the Dehlon area where, as per plannning, killers arrived and brutally attacked Lipsy, who was sitting in the car. She was also taken out of the car by the assailants, who reportedly hit her till she died.

“Anokh had told the police that he gave their car, ornaments, mobile phones to the robbers. He staged a drama to make it look like a robbery-cum-murder case. Our team, led by DCP JS Teja, ADCP (Crime) Amandeep Singh Brar, ADCP Dev Singh, ACP Harjinder Singh, Sadar SHO Avtar Singh, Dehlon SHO inspector Sukjinder Singh and CIA officers carried out a thorough investigation. Initially, the police got to know about the extra marital affair of Anokh with Pratiksha, following which both of them were rounded up and they confessed to having hatched the murder conspiracy by hiring contract killers,” Chahal said.

The CP said twice in the past, the man tried to get his wife killed with the help of his worker. But the latter while attempting to kill her got frightened and even left his job. It was the third attempt when the suspect hired contract killers for committing the crime.

Krishan Garg, uncle (chacha) of the deceased, said the police should speed up probe in the case and ensure capital punishment for the suspects.

Deceased knew about husband’s affair

ADCP Crime Amandeep Brar said the deceased woman had been telling her husband Anokh to part ways with his girlfriend Pratiksha but Anokh wanted to continue the extramarital affair. The relationship between the couple turned bitter due to the issue. Later, Anokh hatched a conspiracy with his girlfriend

to eliminate his wife so that they could continue their relationship without any hindrance.

Accused joined AAP in the presence of AAP MLA

Anokh joined the Aam Aadmi Party in December last. AAP MLA Ashok Parashar Pappi welcomed him to the party that time.

The suspect also posted pictures and videos on social media with the MLA about the development.