Rajkot financier killed

RAJKOT, Nov 7: Sobhraj Sadhuram Sonwani (40), a financier, was killed in a daylight robbery bid by his employee and three others at 1 pm ...

RAJKOT, Nov 7: Sobhraj Sadhuram Sonwani (40), a financier, was killed in a daylight robbery bid by his employee and three others at 1 pm here on Saturday.

Three persons entered Sonwani’s office in Umesh Complex and began inquiring about some housing loan. While talking to him, they threw chilli powder into his eyes and tried to escape with the cash bag on his table. Sonwani tried to hold onto the bag, but he was stabbed to death.

Hitesh Girdharlal Radia, who masterminded the plot, was a recovery officer at the finance firm run by Sonwani. On that particular day, Hitesh, after handing over the accounts and cash to Sonwani, left the office for some time. At that time, his accomplices entered the office and tried to rob Sonwani.

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According to police, Hitesh and his brother Vinod had lost a lot of money in gambling. They decided to rob Sonwani in an attempt to make good some of their losses. The two roped in Natu Lavji Khumbar and Firoz Habib Sama, who entered the office when Sonwani was counting the cash and about to close shop for the day. When the two realised Sonwani did not relent even after they had blinded him, they panicked and started stabbing him.

The noise and commotion attracted the attention of the security guards, who rushed to the scene and caught Firoze.

Natu, however, escaped with the cash. The security guards alerted police and handed over Firoze to them. Interrogation of Firoze led Praduman Nagar police to the arrest of the other accused.

The inquiry in the case is on.