Police zeros in on accused, but mum as accused influential

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) In a 'big break' into the 'Headlines Today' journalist Soumya Vishwanathan's murder, police have seized the car involved in the September 30 'accident' which led to her being killed, even as police refused to say anything.

Highly placed sources, involved in the investigation, said the car, a BMW sedan, was 'picked' up from the posh Vasant Vihar area of South-West Delhi.

''The driver of the vehicle's owner has also been detained and was being questioned though he is said to be not in the car during the 'accident'.'' The breakthrough came after forensic examination revealed that glass shards collected from the 'site' were that of a BMW car, and only five BMWs were registered in the whole region, he said.

''Later, after examining all the five, the mirror of the one in Vasant Vihar was found broken and the glass pieces matched those found at the 'site'.'' During investigations it was found that September 29 was his son's birthday which he celebrated he said adding that the 'accident' took place while he was returning home from the party.

''While the man lives abroad, his son soon fled the country after the accident. This has corroborated our suspicions.'' However, it is not sure who killed Soumya, as the son -- if he was driving the car -- could not have aimed and killed the journalist while driving as both vehicles were 'right hand drives', he explained.

''It was possible that someone was with the son, who killed Soumya after the accident took place between both the cars leading to the breaking of the rear mirror of the BMW.'' Meanwhile, Delhi police refused to say anything on the 'developments' saying the case was still being investigated.

Sources said this was because the accused were well connected and until the police could actually lay their hands on something 'very concrete' they would not reveal anything.

UNI AN RP AS1952