Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Wednesday conducted a crime-scene reconstruction in the case of the murder of Priyanshu Jain, a MICA student, who was fatally stabbed in Bopal area on November 10.
The accused, Constable Virendrasinh Padheriya, was taken to the scene of the crime for the reconstruction, where he was reportedly seen struggling to walk and became visibly emotional during the process.
Priyanshu Jain, 23, was returning home on a bullet with a friend when he was attacked. The incident took place near Rainforest Crossroads when Jain called out the driver of a speeding car to slow down.
The situation escalated into an altercation, during which Padheriya allegedly stabbed Jain to death. He was rushed to a private hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Following the incident, Padheriya, a constable at Sarkhej police station, fled the scene.
JCP (Crime) Sharad Singhal revealed that ‘he was traced to Punjab after an investigation that included reviewing over 300 CCTV footages and gathering witness statements’.
Earlier, DCP (Crime) Ajit Rajian told a section of media, “Padheriya had been absent without explanation from work for the previous two days and records.”
The accused was located by the authorities using three-factor authentication. CCTV footage from the area revealed that the car involved in the incident was a black Tata Harrier SUV without a registration plate, despite the fact that multiple police officers claimed to have known Padheriya from the sketch that the Ahmedabad Rural Police released on Tuesday.
Padheriya was arrested in Punjab on Wednesday near Sanam village on Sangrur-Patiala Road and brought back to the city on Thursday for questioning.
DGP Vikas Sahay expressed his condolences to Jain’s family and assured them that strict action would be taken against the accused.
“The perpetrator may be a police officer, but he is still a criminal and will be treated as such by Gujarat Police. Strictest action will be taken and a complete charge sheet for the case will be filed soon,” Sahay said.
A second person, identified as Dinesh alias DK, was reportedly also present in the car during the altercation and allegedly helped Padheriya escape. Dinesh has been questioned and further action may be taken against him.
A case has been registered under Section 103 (1) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and Section 135 of the Gujarat Police Act at Bopal Police Station under relevant sections of the law.
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch, Local Crime Branch (LCB), Special Operations Group (SOG) and other local police units are continuing their investigation. Padheriya remains in custody as the investigation progresses.
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