Missing Sana Khan murdered, cops nab prime accused after 10 days
| Date :12-Aug-2023 |
Staff Reporter
Finally, the worst fears of city police in the missing case of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sana Khan came true as the prime suspect Amit alias Pappu Sahu confessed to murdering her, who was also his business partner, said the cops. Earlier, a team from Mankapur Police station -- a missing case was registered by Sana's family here -- tracked down Sahu and his associates with the help of their Jabalpur counterparts. The two were picked-up from near XIDAS College in Gora Bazar area. For the past few days, the city was agog with rumours about the fate of Sana Khan. On Friday, as the case headed to its logical conclusion, the speculations came to rest. Sahu was traced to Gora Bazar area, which was also the last location on Sana’s mobile handset as was revealed in the probe. Sana, who was the President of BJP’s Minority Cell, had informed her mother about her trip to Jabalpur to discuss financial dealings with her partner, Amit Sahu. This was on August 1, but subsequently there was no contact as her phone was switched off. Since then speculations were rife about the reasons behind sudden disappearance of Sana, who was politically well connected in the district.
Incidentally, the family of prime accused Amit too is politically well connected and associated with BJP. From day one, Amit was a suspect in the disappearance case, but due to lack of any definite pointers or clues, the cops were not moving ahead. Meanwhile, a team of Mankapur police reached Jabalpur, after Sana's mother registered a case of missing on August 4. Since last five days, the Mankapur teamwas camping in Jabalpur and took help of Gora Bazar Police in investigating the matter. It seemed the local political influence had police dithering about apprehending and grilling Amit. Finally, after getting clearance form higher-ups, the Gora Bazar Police grilled Amit where he cracked and admitted to involvement in the gory crime. Our Jabalpur correspondent adds that Gora Bazar police confronted Amit with the details revealed by his servant, who worked at Amit’s dabha at Belkhera area. When grilled, Amit spluttered out the crime details. His associate Jitendra Bhujbal has also been picked-up by the cops while search for their third companion is still on.
Amit told the cops that Sana arrived by bus to Jabalpur on August 2 and they had a heated quarrel about financial matters. It was reported that Sana had extended Rs 50 lakh to Amit and was demanding it back, over which the two got into an argument. However, police are trying to figure out the exact reason for dispute. Sana, as per Amit, was beaten to death with a cane at the dhaba in Belkhera early morning. Her body was later dumped in Hiran river that is being scoured by cops. After arrest of Amit, he was taken to the river, to locate the spot where the body of Sana was thrown. The cops have also not recovered the murder weapon so far. The body was taken by Amit with his associates in his car to the river. The car was later washed by the servant to wipe out the blood stains. Amit has past criminal record, including involvement in illicit transportation of liquor. He seems to be well connected and hence it took nearly 10-days for Mankapur police to get his custody. The accused duo are likely to be produced before magistrate to seek transit remand. As to rumours about civil marriage between Amit and Sana, the Gora Bazar Police said they were yet to find any evidence about the same. There might be some clarity about the matter in further interrogation of Amit.