CBI team arrives to collect reports on Mahto killing

Jamshedpur, Mar 17 (UNI) A four-member team of the Central Bureau of Investigation has arrived here to investigate the murder of JMM MP Sunil Mahto.

The team, led by CBI official Pawan Srivastava, collected relevant documents, including the FIR reports, in connection with Mahto's murder at Baghuria village in East Singhbhum district on March 4, District Superintendent of Police Pankaj Darad said.

The CBI team visited the spot yesterday, where Mr Mahto was assassinated along with two of his bodyguards and another local JMM leader during a football match.

The team also held discussions with the Ghatsila police.

The district police and the CID had already arrested eight persons, including two Maoists, on March 12. The preliminary investigation of the police team, led by Mr Darad, suggested the involvement of the naxalites.

However, a second team of CID, led by Superintendent of Police M L Meena, began the second phase of investigation from yesterday.DSP Mahesh Kumar Paswan has been appointed the Investigating Officer (IO)in the case.

Mr Meena was camping in the region since the state government handed over the case to the CID and vistied the Ghatshila jail to interrogate the arrested persons.

Meanwhile, the 'Shradh' of the slain MP was being observed at his ancestral village at Chhota Gamharia in Seraikela-Kharswan district today. Thousands of people, including state ministers and other dignitaries, attended the ritual.

UNI