Accused in murder of former airhostess held

Noida, Apr 19 (UNI) An accused in the series of robberies here earlier this month in which a former airhostess was killed has been arrested by the city police.

Mukesh, alias Mukia, was arrested last night from Sadarpur colony by the Sector 39 police for his alleged involvement in the crime.

On the night of April 8, four criminals -- Lachchu alias Nikki Yadav, Mukesh, Ashok and Annu -- went on a spree of violence here, allegedly killing former airhostess Sheeba Thomas and injuring retired Lt General T J S Gill. They were allegedly involved in six incidents of robbery, one murder and one attempt to murder that night.

A country-made pistol was recovered from Mukia, police said.

A few days ago, Lachchu had surrendered before a court and was remanded to judicial custody.

It now appears that the killing of Sheeba Thomas could have been prevented if the police had acted promptly on the complaints of three people who had been looted by the motorcycle-borne goons shortly before the former airhostess was shot dead.

The Sector 58 police station did not sound an alert despite complaints lodged by the trio looted near Shatabdi Vihar around 2230 hrs.

UNI XC-NAB KD KP1625