Trio held for 'killing' friend for house

Police claimed on Thursday to have solved the blind murder of a 55-year-old man whose body was recovered from Nullah Leh earlier this month, arresting three of his close associates who allegedly killed him in an attempt to seize his property.

According to police, the decomposed body of Abbas Raza was found near Usman Pura in the jurisdiction of City Police Station on July 13. The lower part of the body had been wrapped in plastic sheeting, while the upper half was covered with cloth.

A murder case was registered against unidentified suspects on the complaint of the police, and the body was sent for a post-mortem examination.

The investigation was assigned to the Homicide Unit, which identified the deceased as a resident of the nearby area. Police found that Raza, who had divorced his wife, lived alone in Rawalpindi, while his children resided in Karachi.

Investigators subsequently focused on individuals who regularly visited the victim. Three men, identified as Hamid, Javed and Abid, came under suspicion. Using CCTV footage, technical evidence and human intelligence, police established their alleged involvement in the crime.

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed that they had strangled Raza with a noose to gain possession of his house. They then wrapped the body, transported it in a vehicle and dumped it in Nullah Leh in an attempt to conceal the crime.

Rawal SP Saad Arshad said the vehicle and motorcycle allegedly used in the offence had been recovered. He added that the suspects would be prosecuted on the basis of solid evidence and a comprehensive challan would be submitted before the trial court.