Robbery suspected motive behind Darjeeling murder: 2 arrested

EOI, DARJEELING, JANUARY 16, 2023: The police on Monday arrested two persons in connection with the murder of a jeweler in Darjeeling town on January 12. 

The police said they had arrested Niten Kale (37) and Ashutosh Girikar (19) after investigation. Pradip Ojha owned a jewellery shop in the heart of the town area. On January 12, Ojha's son found him in an injured state, with hands and legs tied, in their Valley View Residency apartment situated at Guddi Road."

On January 12, Ojha was found in an injured state. His son with the help of a neighbour shifted him to the district hospital but he was declared brought dead. We registered a UD case and started the investigation. The postmortem report suggested the probability of homicide," said Additional Superintendent of Police Ajay Ganapati Kumbhar. The Additional S.P. said the accused were arrested following questioning the security guard of the building.

"Based on the statement given by the security guard, we identified two suspects and arrested them. The arrested persons were known to the deceased," said Kumbhar. Kale and Girikar are originally from Maharashtra. Kale shifted base in Darjeeling about seven years ago while Girikar who arrived seven months ago worked in Kale's shop. On the question of the motive behind the murder, the Additional S.P.said: "Initially we found the two entered Ojha's apartment with the intention of robbery. But when there was a face-off, they murdered Ojha."Police have found some more evidence and are investigating if more accomplices are involved.

"We have taken 14 days’ police custody. There are no previous police cases against them. We are trying tofind out whether more people are involved," said Kumbhar.NDPS Act and produced before court on Monday.