A 'cricket ball' punched the first hole in Nithari killings

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) It was a cricket ball which first brought to light the ghastly killings in Nithari, which later unfolded into one of the most astonishing of 'psychopath killings' in the country.

Joint Director (Special Crime) Arun Kumar, while addressing mediapersons today said the bones of victims, lying in the backyard of Pandher's house in Nithari village, were first noticed by local boys who went there to search for their cricket ball which had found its way after being 'hooked'.

''The police was informed of bones lying in the backyard of the house of Pandher at D-5, Nithari Village when some boys went there to search for their cricket ball.'' On return from there, the boys told their parents of several bones lying at the houses' backyard, and the strange smell emanating from there. Their parents in turn informed the police, he said.

''However, the police instead of probing the matter properly went there and told the people that the bones were that of animals and tried to hush up the matter,'' Mr Kumar said.

Had the police been vigilant or probed the matter properly the matter could have come to light early and may be several lives saved, he said adding that though some neighbours did talk of a 'foul smell' coming from the area.

''But the question was whom to complain as Pandher would not be staying there often and there was no lady staying that women could vent their 'concern'. Koli was definitely not the person who they have talked to,'' the joint director said.

Even the cleaning of the drain outside Pandher's house was manipulated by bribing the department concerned, he added.

More than 28 children had gone missing from Nithari village in Noida's Sector 31 in the last nearly two years before it came to light last year in December.

UNI