- Media baron shot dead in broad daylight
- Chhota Rajan Group claims Shah´s murder
- Jamim killers ´fled´ Valley on Friday
Nepal Police have so far been attributing the international underworld linkage of Jamim´s murder to its ´intelligence analysis´, and not yet made public the basis for its claims. [break]
Babbu, 40, an Indian national of Nepali origin, is said to have arranged a meeting between a Nepali businessman and Babloo a few years ago for a financial deal.
The Nepali businessman has been in jail for six months on charges of Letter of Credit (LC) misuse. Babloo, who faces over 20 criminal charges, has been serving a life term at Bareli jail in Lucknow, India.
Police sources requested not to mention the name of the Nepali businessman for the protection of an ´informant´. It is learned that the Nepali businessman approached Babloo while the latter was behind bars, anticipating an investment of Rs 30 million to rescue his troubled carpet business.
According to police sources, the tip-off given by the businessman during a jail visit by investigative officials after Shah´s murder in broad daylight in Lazimpat on February 7, had helped police establish Babbu and five aides as the main culprits.
Later, after sub-inspector of Nepal Police Prakash Chhetri was arrested on the basis of phone call details, new light was thrown on the scope of the conspiracy.
Similarly, Mohammed Wakar Saeed, the motorcycle pillion-rider who is believed to have opened fire at Jamim, was also identified as the killer of Parbej Chanda alias Saukat Ahmed. Parbej, who was in the most wanted list of India´s Uttar Pradesh government on fake currency charges, was shot dead on December 25 in Butwal.
"Saeed seems to have been hired by Babbu for the assignments handed him by Babloo Srivastav," sources said.
Balooo Srivastav has been notorious for partnering with Indian underworld don Chhota Rajan in the past and is also linked to the murder of Nepal´s then parliamentarian Mirja Dil Saad Beg 12 years ago.
Intelligence officials claimed that Babloo´s group had also ordered the murder of one Balaram Patuwal in New Baneshwar three years ago by Lal Mohammed, a criminal from India who was later arrested by Nepal Police. Lal Mohammed has been listed as a prime target by the Babloo gang for use as a disposal tool.
Investigative officials have also directed their investigations toward the murder of Majid Marihar, an alleged fake currency racketeer, on October 2 in Nepalgunj. "Any reliable finding in this case could possibly lead to the uncovering of the real motive behind Jamim´s murder," officials added.
Babbu, a resident of Badeni, a bordering Indian town across from Krishnanagar in Kapilvastu District, had long been marked for his suspicious activities across the border along which he dramatically raised his financial profile.
A family man, he was also a familiar figure in Krishnanagar and would befriend politicians and police officers there. He had even cultivated a social image, offering donations for local clubs and sports activities.
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