MP: Police announce Rs 50,000 reward as double murder probe yields no breakthrough
Bhopal, July 4 (IANS) A week after the murder of an elderly couple in Bhopal’s Aishbagh area sent shockwaves across the city, the police on Saturday announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to the arrest of the accused, with investigators admitting that the high-profile case has so far yielded no breakthrough.
The reward was announced by Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar after a high-level review meeting of the investigation.
He said the reward would be given to anyone who provided credible information leading to the identification of the killers or to the exposure of the conspiracy behind the crime.
The victims, Hemant Barik (70), a retired railway employee, and his wife Shakuntala Barik (70), a retired nurse from Kasturba Hospital, were found murdered at their residence in Ambedkar Colony of Sudama Nagar under the Aishbagh police station limits on June 28.
According to police, Hemant Barik suffered a gunshot wound to the head, while his wife sustained two bullet injuries, one to the head and another near the waist.
Three empty cartridges were recovered from the spot and have been sent for forensic examination. Preliminary findings suggest the assailants opened fire from close range.
Given the seriousness of the case, a 12-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), assisted by the Crime Branch and Cyber Cell, has been constituted to investigate the murders. Saturday’s review meeting, attended by DCP Akhil Patel and other senior officers, assessed the progress made by the investigating teams.
Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said the investigation was being carried out in an organised and systematic manner and that every possible angle was under examination.
Police said that investigators are analysing CCTV footage, mobile phone records, digital transactions, forensic evidence, and statements from family members, neighbours, and other persons connected to the victims.
The Police Commissioner also appealed to the public to share any credible information, assuring that the identity of informants would remain confidential.
Police said the investigation has, so far, not indicated robbery or dacoity as the motive behind the killings; however, all possible motives, including property-related disputes, family issues and other personal angles, are being examined.
–IANS
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