Key accused in journalist Sandeep Kothari's murder case arrested

BALAGHAT: An absconding key accused in the murder of journalist Sandeep Kothari has been nabbed in the district, the seventh arrest in the case.

Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Rakesh Narswani, on whom a reward of Rs 30,000 had been announced, late last night from Paraswada ghat area near Bonkatta in Balaghat district, Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP), Katangi, J S Markam said today.

Kothari was murdered on June 19 after he was allegedly abducted by Narswani and others. Later, his charred body was found near railway tracks at Sindi in neighbouring Wardha district of Maharashtra.

Police suspect that Kothari, who used to write against those involved in illegal mining and other unlawful activities, was murdered because of enmity with Narswani and others.

With the arrest of Narswani, a total of seven persons allegedly involved in the crime have so far been nabbed, the police officer added.