The special investigation team (SIT), probing the pilferage of Rs 6.6 crore from Rs 16.65 crore unaccounted cash recovered from Father Anthony Madassary’s house in the district last month, has arrested an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), Dilbagh Singh, for his collusion with the other accused.

Dilbagh has become the fourth accused in the case. While the two prime suspects— ASIs Joginder Singh and Rajpreet Singh —are still absconding, the third accused, informer Surinder Singh, is in the police custody.

The SIT has also recovered two cars used by the accused to carry the pilfered cash. This includes a Hyundai Verna in which Joginder, Rajpreet and Surinder reached Khanna on March 29 through the Jalandhar -Moga route. The other vehicle is a Maruti Swift car, owned by Khanna resident Dilbagh, which was used further to siphon off the cash.

Informer Surinder also confirmed that these two cars were used in the crime.

Assistant inspector general (AIG, crime), Rakesh Kaushal, who is an SIT member, said Dilbagh’s role has been established during the investigations. He will be produced in a court on Thursday.

An official privy to the investigations said when the three accused reached Khanna, ASI Joginder called up Dilbagh and asked him to bring his car. Dilbagh brought his car and the accused shifted the cash to his vehicle to carry it further. They returned the car to Dilbagh on March 30.

The SIT reportedly found CCTV footage wherein Dilbagh and the other three accused were seen together in Khanna. Since then, Dilbagh had been under the lens of the probe team.

First Published: Apr 25, 2019 13:58 IST