A day after AAP worker Anokh Mittal from Ludhiana alleged that his wife was killed in a brutal robbery, police revealed Monday that they had unraveled the truth behind the case. According to the investigation, Mittal, along with his paramour, orchestrated the murder by hiring contract killers.
Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal confirmed the arrests of Mittal, his partner Pratiksha, and four contract killers, while another suspect remains on the run. The arrested hitmen were identified as Amritpal Singh alias Balli (26), Gurdeep Singh (25), Sonu (24), and Sagardeep alias Teji (30), all residents of Sahnewal and Dhandhari Kalan. Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, another accused in the crime, is yet to be apprehended.
The police disclosed that Mittal, a 35-year-old businessman, had been in an extramarital relationship with Pratiksha from Jamalpur. His wife, Lipsi, also known as Manvi, had discovered the affair, leading to ongoing marital conflicts. Determined to get rid of her, Mittal and Pratiksha allegedly conspired to stage her murder as a robbery.
The crime took place on February 15, when Mittal and Manvi were returning home after dining at a restaurant. As their car reached Dehlon Road, a group of five assailants intercepted them and launched a violent attack on Manvi using swords and other sharp weapons. To make the incident appear like a robbery, the attackers fled with the couple’s Ritz car and Manvi’s jewelry, leaving her critically injured.
In his initial statement to the police, Mittal claimed that he had stopped the car near Rurka Road in Dehlon to relieve himself when a group of “robbers” attacked him. He alleged that they hit him with an iron rod and forced him to inhale an unknown substance, rendering him unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness 20 minutes later, he said he found his wife grievously injured on the road. He stated that she succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital.
However, police investigations contradicted his claims, leading to the arrests. Authorities have also recovered three vehicles—Ritz, Swift, and i-20—used in the crime, along with a sword. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the law at Dehlon Police Station.
Mittal had reportedly joined AAP three months ago. His arrest, along with the others involved, marks a significant breakthrough in the case. Meanwhile, the search for the absconding hitman, Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, continues.
