Rajkot police files third FIR in connection with ‘murder’ in Thorala

Police had said that Prakash and Pendo were injured in a brawl that ensued after the duo and three others robbed a man of Rs 5,700 but couldn’t reach agreement to share the booty. Police had arrested Yuvrajsin Zala (24) of Rajkot, Kadar Malek (21) of Morbi and Prakash Parmar of Rajkot from the spot. Based on a complaint filed by Malek, Thorala police had booked Pendo and Yuvraj for murder. Meanwhile, Yuvraj had also filed a cross complaint and based on that complaint, Thorala police had booked Prakash Lunagariya, Malek and Parmar for murder on Monday.

While Pendo’s family had claimed his body later Monday afternoon, Lunagariya’s family members refused to take possession of the body alleging his son was not killed in the brawl but was murdered. They continued their protests on Wednesday even as Sardar Patel Group president Lalji Patel also alleged that Lunagariya was killed in an encounter.

Later in the day, Lunagariya’s father Devraj gave a written complaint to DCB. Based on that complaint, the DCB lodged a complaint. “After receiving a complaint from Devraj Lunagariya, Crime Branch has registered an FIR for murder against unidentified persons and due investigation will be done,” additional commissioner of police of Rajkot, Dipak Bhatt confirmed to The Indian Express.

In his complaint, Devraj had named a few officers of Rajkot city police. But the additional commissioner said that no accused had been named in the FIR. “We shall conduct inquiry and investigate the matter,” said Bhatt.

Lunagariya’s family has been claiming that he was innocent. On the other hand, Pendo was facing half a dozen cases including that of murder. He had allegedly stabbed a police constable to death on Kothariya road of the city in March last year.