Youth kills grandparents for lucre

Bhopal, Jun 6 (UNI) A 20-year-old has been arrested for murdering his maternal grandparents at Old Bhopal's congested Marwari Road area -- a principal business centre -- about two-and-a-half months back, police said today.

Three persons, including the prime accused, were apprehended.

''Right from the beginning of the investigation it was suspected that a person well-acquainted with the family was involved,'' said Superintendent of Police Anant Kumar Singh.

On March 27, Mr Chhaganlal Agrawal (76) and his wife Krishnabai (70) were stabbed in their two-storeyed residence opposite the State Bank of Indore branch at Marwari Road.

Police monitored the movements of the victims' grandson Seoni-Malwa-resident Pawan Agrawal who was found to have criminal tendencies, carried a knife and was habituated to gambling.

Following sustained interrogation, Pawan broke down and confessed that he committed the dastardly crime with two friends Praveen Mishra (18) and Raju Kaushal (20).

Pawan had told the others that about five lakh Rupees might be found at his grandparents' residence itself.

On the fateful day, the trio first ensured that the couple were alone at home. After reaching the house, Pawan told his grandparents that he had come here for some work. The couple were later targeted while they were resting.

The accused ransacked the house but found only Rs 10,000 and about Rs 25,000 worth of jewellery. The knife and jewellery have been seized.

UNI SD-AC SRS HT2125