Three murder accused nabbed after six months

Rajkot: Three absconding accused in the Thebchada village murder case in Rajkot taluka were nabbed on Saturday.
Police said the accused, Popat Vadher (63), Keshu Vadher (49) and Chana Vadher (60) were part of a 19-member gang which had allegedly hacked to death Lakhdhirsinh Jadeja (57) and injured his cousins Harendrasinh Jadeja (50) and Balwantsinh Jadeja (50) on January 29.
The accused led by Chhagan Koli and his brother Magan Koli had attacked the victims with swords, scythes, axes and iron pipes. Police have already arrested 16 accused in the case.
“We received a tip-off about the accused trio visiting their residences in Thebchada, following which we raided their houses and nabbed them,” said Balbhadrasinh Jadeja, assistant sub-inspector with Rajkot detection of crime branch.
“At present, we have detained the trio. We will officially arrest them once they undergo Covid-19 test,” he added.
The murder was the result of a land dispute between the families of Lakhdhirsinh Jadeja and Chhagan Koli.
On the fateful day on January 29, when the Jadejas had gone to take the possession of the land, as per Supreme Court’s order, they were accompanied by 10-odd cops from Aji Dam police station. In the presence of the policemen, the members of the Koli family attacked Lakhdhirsinh Jadeja, Harendrasinh Jadeja and Balwantsinh Jadeja.
The Jadejas had alleged that the land was encroached upon by the Kolis. Both the families had moved the court. In 2016, the Supreme Court (SC) gave its ruling that the possession of the land be handed over to the Jadejas. The Kolis bought three months from the SC, saying that they needed the time to reap the standing crop. However, for the next 10 months, the Kolis did not vacate the land.
The Jadejas approached the SC again with an application. This time, the SC issued orders to the Rajkot collector and Rajkot police to ensure possession of the land to the Jadejas.