Investigation into the murder of Deepak Bhardwaj, millionaire real estate baron, has revealed that Rs2.5 crore was paid to the contract killers to eliminate him. Police sources further said that though over 100 people, including Rakesh, a Jind-base property dealer, and close family members of the slain BSP leader had been questioned during past three days, the mystery behind Bhardwaj's murder remains unsolved.
Police failed to make any breakthrough as the two shooters involved in the crime could not be arrested till Friday, despite several raids. Raids are being conducted in Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Western Uttar Pradesh and Outer Delhi.
However, sources said that Rakesh was not accompanying the killers on the day of murder. Rakesh told the investigators that the absconding contract killers, Sunil, alias Sonu, and Purushottam, alias Monu, seen in the CCTV footage, were his friends.
Sources said Sonu was a native of Alipur village and was accused in another attempt to murder case that was registered in Alipur police station.
Purushottam was a resident of Kheda Kalan village of outer Delhi. He too had a criminal background. He was involved in several cases of attempt to murder and robbery, which are registered in Shahbad Dairy police station of Outer Delhi.
"Rakesh disclosed that few months back, Purushottam asked him to help him in purchasing a second hand car as he had been facing difficulties due to his criminal background. After preparing the papers in the name of Rakesh, Purushottam, Sunil and Rakesh went to Karol Bagh Market where a payment of Rs 8 lakh in cash was made to the car dealer and the car was purchased.”
“This indicated that the murder was being planned for months and they had received a huge amount for the murder," the sources said.
He also said, "There must have been a property dispute which resulted in the murder. All properties that he owned, in Delhi and other States, are facing dispute issues.
No further lead has emerged. Until, the police arrested those absconding contract killers, progress in the investigation seems remote," the source said, adding that at the same time, the police fear that the main conspirator may also get the contract killers eliminated.