The police team investigating the absconding masked criminals, who shot dead a sand trader in broad daylight under the jurisdiction of Khitoula police station on Thursday afternoon, raided borders of Jabalpur, Katni and Mandla districts. Police have already identified the accused who shot dead the deceased Dharmendra Thakur after going through CCTV footage, preliminary investigation and statements of family members/acquaintances. Two teams of Crime Branch with Khitoula police were conducting raids at different hide-outs to nab the absconding accused as soon as possible. SP Sampat Upadhyay with

 

ASP Anjana Tiwari taking constant feedback from police officers involved in the investigation. Masked miscreants stopped a sand trader in broad daylight on Thursday and fired three shots on his head from zero range in the middle of the road. Though the deceased tried to run away but he was grabbed by the assailants. After receiving three shots in his head, he died on the spot. The incident sent shockwaves through the entire area. Police from several police stations, including Khitauli police station,

 

have been present in the area since the incident took place. The sensational and heinous incident enraged local residents, who protested blocking the road. The situation was resolved after police officers intervened. Police have assured them for immediate arrest of the accused involved in the heinous crime. After registering a case under relevant sections, police have initiated further proceedings. Preliminary investigations indicate a personal grudge. Some of Dharmendra Thakur’s associates named Ashish Vishwakarma as main accused involved in the murder case, police sources say that someone else may have carried out the crime under the guise of Assu. The police presently investigating the case keeping all aspects in mind.