GUWAHATI, Feb 24 - Three days after businessman Hemant Chauchariya was shot dead at Hatigaon, Guwahati Police today claimed to have cracked the case, arresting four accused, including the shooter, from various locations of the State.
Investigation into the sensational shoot-out indicated that the middle-aged businessman, who owned a wholesale outlet at Hatigaon, was killed with the motive of money snatching.
Chauchariya was carrying a bag containing Rs 4.06 lakh, which was snatched away by the criminals.
Commissioner of Guwahati Police Hiren Nath told The Assam Tribune that the investigating team is on the lookout for another three accused involved in the shoot-out.
�Investigation carried out so far also indicates that the gang has one more pistol with them, which we are trying to locate,� Nath said.
The lead to the accused was found in the incident site, where a police team had recovered a vital clue on the day of the incident itself. Thereafter, separate teams were formed which worked round the clock to hunt down the criminals.
�The culprits had information that Chauchariya was in possession of around Rs 10 lakh cash on that fateful evening and that was when the criminals decided to execute the loot,� said the Commissioner.
While accused Safikul Islam was arrested from Abhaiyapuri, Nur Alom Mollah, Ramesh Yadav and Mukuta Das were arrested from Hatsingimari, Dimapur and Chayygaon respectively following simultaneous raids conducted by the police.
Nur Alom, who was close to some staff of Chauchariya, was the person who contacted Safikul who shot the businessman and Ramesh was the arms supplier. Mukuta Das had given shelter to Ramesh.
Those still absconding are the motorcycle rider on whose bike the shooter was a pillion rider, another informer and the one who had arranged the bike.
It has also come to light that Ramesh, Safikul and Mukuta were jail counterparts in the Central Jail in dacoity and vehicle theft cases.
The police had recovered one 9mm pistol and 4 live cartridges, one laptop, five mobile handsets, Ativan tablets (sleeping pills), passbooks etc., from the accused.
Chauchariya was shot dead around 8.30 pm on Wednesday while he was returning home on a two-wheeler after closing his shop.