Trio held while on way to dispose of singer's body

The Gurugram Police on Sunday arrested three persons for the murder of popular Haryanvi folk singer Lala Saini after recovering his body from their car.

Acting on a tip-off, the Crime Unit of Palam Vihar had set up a check post. When they tried to stop a car approaching from the direction of Badli in Delhi, the driver attempted to flee from the spot. The police then nabbed all three persons inside the car. When the team searched the vehicle, they found a body in its trunk. It was later identified to be Joginder Kumar alias Lala Saini.

The arrested persons were identified as Gaurav Sharma, 26, Mahesh Kumar, 26, and Sachin Kumar, 21.

During interrogation, it was revealed that Sachin was employed by Saini. When he realised that the singer was rich and had properties at various places in Haryana, he planned to kidnap him. He took the help of his friends Gaurav, a liquor dealer by profession, and Mahesh, who has a record of kidnapping and extortion.

The three accused met in a wedding ceremony on Saturday and decided to execute the plan. DCP, Crime, Sumit Kumar told DNA: "Sachin was known to the singer. He planned the kidnapping with his friends to earn a quick buck. They later killed Saini when he refused to comply."

According to the police, on Sunday, Sachin asked Saini to meet him at Jind bypass in Rohtak. There, he asked the singer to get in his car, and snatched his gold chain and ring on gunpoint. The accused then asked him for ransom. When Saini refused, they shot him in his temple and stomach.