Constable murdered inside city crime branch office in Ahmedabad

A 37-year-old police constable was today killed inside the high security city crime branch office here allegedly by a suspect of loot case, who escaped from the scene after committing the crime.

The incident comes as an embarrassment to the image of the elite force, which has a high reputation of solving crimes, happened despite three-layered security deployed at the crime branch.

The body of the constable was found almost three hours after the incident from the interrogation room, this morning.

Constable Chandrakant Makwana (37) was murdered by a history-sheeter and a man involved in narcotics trade Manish Balai, police said.

According to police inspector (crime branch) R R Sarvaiya, between 2 AM and 4 AM, Makwana was interrogating Balai. The cop was hit on head and face by an iron rod by the suspect.

"The murder took place early this morning inside the squad office where Balai was detained," he said.

We will come to know about the exact time of murder through post mortem, but his body was found nearly three-four hours after the murder as his blood had dried up, Sarvaiya said.

Balai, after committing the murder managed to flee from the crime branch office, he said.

Sarvaiya said that Balai was brought to the crime branch office in connection with a loot incident that took place in Vejalpur area two days ago. He was not placed under arrest but was being interrogated as a suspect.

Balai was also involved in narcotics trade, he said.

"We are investigating the matter and all efforts are being made to arrest the accused," he said.