Jeweller,son killed in Hamirpur

A jeweller and his teenage son were found murdered in their house in Maudaha area of Hamirpur district on Tuesday. The miscreants had ransacked the shop — which is attached to the house — and took away jewellery and other valuables. The assailants were known to the victims,as there was no forced entry in the building,and escaped through a window,said police.

Two tantriks who visited the residence of Indrapal Soni,the jeweller,are suspected to be behind the crime. The SP of Hamirpur,Durga Charan Mishra,said objects used to perform witchcraft were found scattered in the courtyard of the house. Soni used to frequently call such tantriks and perform black magic for the betterment of the business,he added.

When local traders found that Soni’s shop was closed till 11.30 am,they grew suspicious and informed the police. A hanging bedsheet from the first floor of Soni’s house only added to their suspicion.

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A team of police broke into the house and fond bodies of Soni (45) and his son,Ankit (15),lying in the bedroom. While Soni was attacked with an iron rod,which was found lying in the same room,Ankit was strangled to death with a scarf,said police.

Soni’s brother Hari Babu,who also has a jewellery shop in the same market,told the police that Rs 80,000 was missing,besides jewellery.