Police dog catches killer of two

■ The accused Kalia had killed his cousin and grandmother ◗ Trained dog Janu, a Belgian Shepherd, sniffed the bodies of the victims and then started barking at Lakshman. The suspect confessed to his crime during police interrogation.

Churu police resolved a twin murder in less than 24- hours, thanks to a trained police dog. Janu, a Belgian Shepherd dog took just 45 minutes to identify the accused, the police already suspected of having a role in the crime.

The 28- year- old accused Lakshman alas Kalia had killed his cousin Sonu after failing to rape her. He also killed his grandmother who was eye witness of his crime and tried to get hold of him. The incident took place in Khothadi village in Churu district on Sunday evening.

Lakshman drives gas agency truck in Bikaner. He came to his uncle Kamlesh’s house, who along with his son had gone to Ratangarh. The victim 19- year- old Sonu was at home with her 85year- old grandmother Mohini Devi.

As per police, the accused called his cousin inside who was sitting at the shop in front of the house. When she came in he tried to rape her and when she resisted, he slit her throat with a knife.

Hearing her cry, her grandmother went inside and she tried to get hold of him, the accused slit her throat also with the same weapon.

He fled the spot by then the villagers had informed the police about the crime. The accused started mourning the deaths on his return and gave vague answers to the questions asked by the police. The police then called in dog squad from Sriganganagar, which came after midnight. The police then took the dog to the victims.

He sniffed the bodies of the victims and then started barking at Lakshman. “The suspect was rounded up and interrogated. He finally confessed to the crime,” said Superintendent of Police of Churu, Rahul Barhat.