Gamblers go on 2-hour drive — with a body

The two were arrested from west Delhi after police found the abandoned car, with bloodstains in the back seat. (Representational image)

For two hours, two gamblers drove around with a body in their car, looking for a spot to dump it. Frustrated at every corner by heavy police presence and pedestrian movement, they decided to take a chance and dump it in an open field in Panipat.

The two, Karandeep and Manpreet, then dumped the car at Sonipat, 50 km from the body of Gaurav Khera, a west Delhi trader who allegedly owed the duo Rs 16 lakh. Their luck ran out, however, after Khera’s family informed police that he owed them money.

The two were arrested from west Delhi after police found the abandoned car, with bloodstains in the back seat. DCP (west) Vijay Kumar said, “We have arrested both of them. Further investigation is underway”.

During the probe, police found that the abandoned car was owned by Khera. The family had initially said he was missing. “After the car was found with bloodstains, we informed the family, who said Khera had been harassed by the duo on several occasions over non-payment of money,” said a senior police officer.

The missing persons complaint had been filed by Jatin Khera, the victim’s younger brother, at Khyala police station on September 19. He told police that around 4.30 pm, his brother told them he was leaving for some business, after which he never returned. Several phone calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.

Police said Khera was called by the two accused to Moti Nagar. A confrontation ensued over non-payment of money, following which Khera was allegedly assaulted with a wooden stick, police said. “We found evidence of the assault. During questioning, they told us he was shot in the back. The post-mortem report is awaited,” the officer said.

After dumping his body near the open fields, they returned to Delhi. After their arrest, the duo were taken back to the spot by the police so the body could be recovered. “They were involved in the gambling business and had invested in several side businesses. They also owned a plywood shop in the locality. The involvement of other people is being looked into,” the officer said.