Three arrested in Sainik Farm murder case

New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) Three people, including a driver and domestic help, have been arrested in connection with the murder of K D Tripathi, brother-in-law of CBI Director Vijay Shankar, police said today.

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anil Shukla said Ramesh alias Vijay, a casual driver with the victim, Raju, a domestic help and casual security guard, and Sarju, a rickshaw puller, were arrested from South Delhi's Neb Sarai area.

Tripathi was allegedly found murdered at his posh Sainik Farm residence in South Delhi on Wednesday.

Mr Shulka said all three accused, hailing from Eastern Uttar Pradesh, broke down during interrogation and confessed to having committed the crime.

''On the day of the murder Raju and Sarju entered the victim's house at around 1000 hrs on the pretext of being send by Ramesh...

once inside they overpowered Tripathi and dragged him to the servant quarters. He was then strangled to death and they fled with jewellery and cash, '' he added.

''Raju and Ramesh were arrested first and during interrogation they provided information about the third accused and he was also arrested from Neb Sarai,'' he added.

He said the accused, habitual of consuming drugs and liquor, had committed the crime to make some ''quick money''.

Police revovered 11 costly wrist watches, cameras, 1 binocular, a mobile phone, foreign currency, including US Dollars, UK Ponds, Dutch marks and Euro worth Rs 25,000, gems and jewellery and cycle used in the crime, besides other stolen goods.

Nearly 400 people, including domestic helps, plumbers, garbage-collectors, private security guards and milk vendors who visit Sainik Farms regularly were questioned.

Tripathi (69), a retired engineer, was found lying dead on his bed by one of his relatives at about 1500 hrs.

Police had received a call informing about the incident at about 1510 hrs saying the house had been ransacked.

A relative later told the police that he was trying to contact Tripathi since morning by phone but after getting no response, he came to check what had happened.

A senior police official said inspection of the spot indicated scuffle before him being pinned down and strangled.

''The house was ransacked but entry was friendly, indicating that the assailants were known to the victim.'' There were strangulation marks on Tripathi's neck, he added.

Tripathi, who lived alone at his 'S-55 Sainik Farms' bungalow, is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son, who live abroad.

While his wife lived with one of their daughters, his second daughter lives in the United Kingdom and his son in Australia.

UNI