3 held for murder of call centre employee

Devinder Kumar Sahota, a resident of Shivalik Avenue in Ropar was murdered by three motorcycle-borne youth while trying to resist an attempt to steal his mobile phone.

The accused have been identified as Devinder Singh alias Lala, a resident of Bassian village, Pawan Kumar alias Kala, a resident of Cholta Khurd village and Sandeep Singh of Malakpur village. Lala, allegedly stabbed Sahota five times.

The police have also recovered the dagger and a Yamaha motorcycle with a Mohali registration number, allegedly used by the youth, Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jatinder Singh Aulakh told Newsline.

Varinderpal Singh, Superintendent of Police-City, who led the police team, told Newsline that two calls were made from Sahota’s mobile by Lala, the main accused, which, led to their arrest. They also recovered Sahota’s mobile, along with another dagger, which was not used in the crime.

Sahota and Sandeep Dogra, were going back to their paying guest, after dinner at Gian Da Dhaba in the Industrial Focal Point, Phase VIII, at 9 pm. 

They were intercepted by three motorcycle-borne youth near the bus stop, who made enquiries about some address and Lala took Sahota’s phone on the pretext of making a call.

He then sat on the motorcycle, with an aim of running away with sahota’s mobile phone. Sahota, however, caught hold of Lala to get his mobile.

Provoked over this resistance, Lala, then took out a dagger and stabbed Sahota repeatedly on his head, chest, left forearm and wrist before fleeing away, Varinderpal Singh added.

“Lala had dialed his own mobile number and had also called an acquaintance. We were thus able to lay hands on him,” the police officers said.

The police, meanwhile, are conducting inquiries in the case.