Infosys Manager Poddar's killers nabbed

Pune, Mar 27 (UNI) In a major breakthrough, the city police today arrested two persons from Rajasthan in connection with the alleged murder of Vikram Vijay Poddar, a project manager at Infosys Technologies, at Hinjawadi, near here.

Poddar, who had taken a lift in a car en route to Mumbai on March 14, was drugged and allegedly killed by the two accused.

Working on a clue provided by a girl, the Pune Police tracked down the two accused in Rajasthan after a gap of nearly a fortnight.

The breakthrough came with the co-operation extended by the Rajasthan police, Pune Police Commissioner Dhananjay Jadhav today said.

Briefing reporters here this evening, Mr Jadhav said a police party comprising oficers from Pune and Mumbai had been sent to Aashpur village in Dungarpur district of Rajasthan and two men -- Victer Jullius Mantera Allis Victor John Dias and Kevein John Dias -- were arrested.

The Hinjewadi Police had earlier traced the tourist car, which Poddar had boarded enroute to Mumbai, on March 17. It was found abandoned at a deserted place in Mumbai. The police have identified two of the three accused as Vickey and Kevin.

Poddar (29) died after consuming food laced with potent sedatives, offered to him by the two accused, who offered him a lift in their car from Wakad diversion to Mumbai.

The body of Poddar, a resident of Malad in Mumbai, was found at Pen in Raigad district last week. Poddar's credit cards and a gold chain, valued at Rs 10,000 were found stolen, police said.

Investigations into the details of the credit card transactions lead to the arrest of the duo, Mr Jadhav said, adding ''we are still looking for third accomplice who is absconding.'' The team will bring the two accused to city late tonight and they will be produced in the court tomorrow for police custody, he said.

The Commissioner further added that the accused are likely to involved in other two cases. The details will, however, come out only after taking them into custody for interrogation.

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