New Delhi, 9th April: In the major murder case of BSP leader and billionaire businessman Deepak Bhardwaj, the Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested his younger son Nitesh along with his aide Baljeet Sehrawat.
“Bhardwaj’s murder contract deal was finalised for over Rs 3 crore. Pratimanand was supposed to get Rs 2 crore from the main conspirator while the remaining amount was promised to be provided to the shooters and other middlemen,” said the officer.
Sources said Nitesh was arrested along with his aide Baljeet Sehrawat, who works as a lawyer and property dealer. The duo was being questioned since Monday night.
Police arrested the duo after collected incriminating evidence against the two in the high-profile murder case. Police had earlier questioned Bhardwaj’s wife Ramesh Kumari and elder son Hitesh as well.
Ever since the probe began, the police had refused to rule out family members’ involvement in the murder.
Police sources said Nitesh planned his father’s murder as he was upset and frustrated over a property dispute. They added that three murder attempts were made on Bhardwaj earlier also.
Police yesterday said plots to kill the politician were also made in January and March.
A Delhi Police officer said that Pratimanand, 48, has changed his hideouts in at least seven cities of separate states since March 26 murder of Bhardwaj at his farmhouse in south Delhi’s Rajokri.
The officer said two days ago he was seen at Bihar’s Patna city, with changed physical appearances. The swami, who usually wore saffron clothes, was sporting a shirt and a pair of trousers.
“Pratimanand wanted to buy an ashram or land for which he needed money. In the meantime, he came in contact with the main conspirator who offered him the deal for the contract killing,” said the officer.
The officer said that the accused did not want to kill Bhardwaj at his farmhouse. “Two more earlier attempts were made in January and March to kill Bhardwaj,” said the officer.
Bharadwaj, was gunned down by two hired killers Sunil Mann alias Sonu and Purushottam Rana alias Monu, at his 35-acre farmhouse in South Delhi. They have been arrested.
Police also arrested Rakesh alias Bhola, the owner of the car used by the killers after the murder, and Rakesh Malik, a commercial pilot who allegedly hired the shooters.
Leave a Reply