Kolkata: Bidhannagar Police have cracked the New Town murder case within 48 hours and arrested eight persons including three contract killers.
The sleuths claimed that the murder of promoter Chanchal Mondal was committed over business rivalry and personal grudge. The plan was hatched approximately two months ago.
According to the police, the crime stemmed from a rivalry with an acquaintance named Bikash Mondal, who also happens to be a promoter of the same area. A few years ago, Bikash's grandfather had provided a portion of land to one Yar Mohammad on lease. But later, it was found that Yar has made the land on his name with the help of Chanchal.
Ajitesh had a conflict with Chanchal as after a separate deal he did not give Ajitesh the promised money.
As Ajitesh and Bikash were business partners, they sensed danger as Chanchal had also gotten into the promoting business recently. They had a talk with one Subhas Mondal of Patharghata about how to stop Chanchal from being a competitor.
Sources informed that Subhas introduced one Nilmadhav Saha, a resident of Ghatakpukur in South 24-Parganas, had told Ajitesh and Bikash about one of his connections who could arrange contract killers.
Saha also used to work as a land speculator and amin (who measures and prepares the land map).
He got in touch with one Md Rafique Molla aka Mohammad Bhai and asked him to arrange contract killers.
Molla later contacted three contract killers identified as Mohar Laskar of South 24-Parganas, Shaikh Sirazul, alias Raja, alias Pagla, and Shaikh Rafique, alias Shaikh Rakibul of Bargashipur Ps Bhowanipore in East Midnapore and engaged them against Rs 2 lakh for killing Chanchal.
During the last two months they procured two firearms and two bikes for committing the crime. Sources informed that the plan was hatched at Ajitesh's house. Though the firearms and bikes have not been recovered yet, police will take the criminals in their custody after their Test Identification (TI) parade is over.
Police also came to know that among the three contract killers — Sirazul and Rafique are the henchmen of the notorious criminal, Karna Bera of East Midnapore, who tried to flee after hurling bombs on October 4 while he was being produced in Kanthi court.
According to the sources, Bidhannagar Police will inform East Midnapore District Police about the duo's arrest accordingly.