Councillor, 2 others held for PSOs’ murder

Dreaded gangster and a sitting councillor Kishan Pehalwan has been arrested for allegedly being involved in the murder of two private service officers (PSOs) at his farmhouse in South-West Delhi's Najafgarh area. Two property dealers have also been arrested in the case, police said on Sunday.

Police said a scuffle broke out at a party at Pehalwan's farmhouse late Friday night. It soon took a violent turn and PSOs Ashok Kumar (40) and Fauji (42), who were also present, were allegedly shot dead. 

It is the same farmhouse, where Pehalwan's younger brother Bharat Singh, a former Najafgarh MLA, was killed in March last by rivals. According to sources, Pehalwan often organises his functions at the farmhouse and deploys his bodyguards to maintain a close vigil on guests.

One Joginder, a private security officer of a realtor and native of Bahadurgarh district in Haryana, was arrested in the wee hours of Saturday for allegedly killing Kumar and Fauji. Since then, the police were questioning Pehalwan. The other two who were arrested have been identified as Pramod and Yogesh.

After Kumar and Fauji were rushed to a hospital, the hospital staff told the police that those who had brought the victims there had fled. It took more than two hours for the police to identify the place of crime. When the police reached the spot, they found Pehalwan outside the farmhouse.

Senior police officials have not confirmed the direct involvement of Pehalwan and the other two persons. 

“All three were present when the double murder took place. They did not inform the police and attempts were made to destroy the evidence. Investigation is underway,” said the senior official.