Ranchi, September 12: The investigation into the killing of Jharkhand businessman Nikhil Sablok has taken a new turn with police alleging that a Kolkata Police traffic sergeant provided information about the victim’s mobile location to people suspected of being involved in the murder plot.Traffic sergeant Ayan Gupta and Kolkata Police civic volunteer Twinkle Das have been arrested in connection with the case. Investigators suspect that Gupta accessed Sablok’s mobile tower location details on multiple occasions following requests allegedly made by Das.
According to investigators, the location information was subsequently passed on to Raghav, who has been identified by police as the alleged mastermind of the killing. The investigators are examining whether the information was used to monitor Sablok’s movements before the attack.
Sablok was shot dead on August 24 near a hotel along National Highway-33 in Jharkhand’s Chandil police station area. Police said the attackers fired several rounds, causing injuries to his shoulder, back and neck. He was taken to a hospital in Jamshedpur in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation initially examined the possibility of a business dispute being behind the killing. However, police later began exploring the possibility of a contract killing and suspect that the assailants may have been paid around Rs 15 lakh.A Jharkhand Police team questioned Gupta and Das at Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar on Thursday.
Their interrogation was reportedly recorded, following which the two were taken into custody.Gupta was posted with the Beliaghata Traffic Guard, while Das was working as a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police.Investigators are now examining the alleged flow of mobile-location information and its possible role in tracking Sablok before the shooting.
The Bengal Special Investigation Team is also looking into how the information was accessed, who requested it and how it allegedly reached the suspected mastermind.Police are expected to investigate the digital and communication links between the arrested individuals and other suspects as the probe progresses.
The allegations are part of an ongoing investigation, and the role of each accused will be established through further investigation and judicial proceedings.
