Man held for murder, faking own death
By IANSTuesday, June 29, 2010
NEW DELHI - Police have arrested a man from Punjab for murdering a homeless man and burning his body to disguise it as his own, police said Tuesday.
Karma Agarwal, 32, was arrested from north Delhi Monday along with Satnam Singh, 20.
According to police, the incident came to light May 22 after a body was found in north Delhi. Initial investigation showed it was that of Agarwal. The next day the body was handed over to the Agarwal family.
“We (later) got information that the deceased was actually not Agarwal but someone else and that Agarwal was alive and involved in many criminal cases in Punjab,” a senior police official said.
Following a tip off, police trapped Agarwal and his associate Satnam Singh. Agarwal admitted that he was indeed involved in several criminal cases.
“To avoid the life of a prisoner, it struck him that he should kill someone and declare that person as Agarwal,” a police officer said.
Such a victim was found on the footpath — under the influence of alcohol.
“They put the person on their scooter and brought him to a deserted area, strangled him and set him on fire by pouring petrol on his clothes,” the officer added.
