Kothari murder: Cops say land deal kickback trigger

BHOPAL: Balaghat police claims to have concluded investigation into journalist Sandeep Kothari’s murder, citing recovery of 13-minute audio conversation between his brother and an accused. “We can hear heated arguments between accused Vishal Tondi, Naveen and his brother Sandeep. He was murdered over a land deal,” says Gaurav Tiwari, superintendent of police (SP) Balaghat.
Tiwari said more audio tapes have been recovered and they are being scrutinized. He said they had a dispute over land brokerage in Bhayyer area. “While Kothari was demanding Rs 5 lakh commission, Vishal wanted to give him Rs 40,000 only,” said the SP.
Six people have been arrested for murder of Kothari, who was allegedly kidnapped, murdered and set ablaze. Mastermind Rakesh Nasarwani is still on the run. Police said Nasarwani, Vishal Dandi and Brijesh Duharwal, who hailed from Katangi, had allegedly kidnapped Kothari on June 19 night when he was headed towards Umri village with his friend on a bike. Police have seized the car used for kidnapping Kothari, he said.