'Godmother' questioned in murder, rape case

Rajkot, June 9: Junagadh police today questioned Santokben(Godmother) Jadeja, alias for allegedly providing shelter to two peopleaccused of killing a 17-year-old girl and raping another at the Datarshrine on the outskirts of Junagadh city on May 13.

Police Inspector Subhash Rawal told sources that Santokben Jadeja wasbrought to Junagadh last night from Rajkot for questioning as she hadgiven shelter to the two accused, Mohan Hamir and Ramesh alias Bhadu.

Mr Rawal said the police questioned 'Godmother' on the basis ofthe confession of Savita, the sister of prime accused Mohan Hamir.

Savita was detained by the police recently in connection with themurder and rape incidents. In her confession to the police, Savita saidshe went to Rajkot on May 16 after she received a telephone call fromher brother Mohan. From there, she, accompanied by Mohan and anotheraccused Ramesh, went to Jadeja's bunglow 'Shravan' on Kalavad road areahere.

Savita said that her brother and the other accused had confessedbefore Jadeja that they had committed the crime and wanted shelter aspolice were after them. Prime accused Mohan has links with Kandhal, theelder son of 'Godmother' as they became friends in 1997 together injail.

Savita said both the accused were sent to some unknown destination by Jadeja.

Meanwhile, the police said, Santokben Jadeja has denied the chargeof giving shelter to the accused. The police have registered an offenceagainst Santokben and her three sons under IPC 212 for giving shelterto the accused.

Special Operation Group (SOG) Police Sub-Inspector N B Chudasma''grilled'' the Godmother. Further interrogations are on, Mr Rawal said.

Santokben Jadeja has a lot of clout in Saurashtra region, particularly in Porbandar.

Santokben Jadeja, a former Member of Kutiyana LegislativeAssembly, was earlier arrested last August in connection with themurder of a BJP councilor from Porbandar in March 2005.

UNI