‘PWD ex-assistant engineer’ quizzed in Neha murder case

BARMER: In high profile Neha murder case, the police have questioned a woman in Jalore district suspecting her involvement in the case.

It may be mentioned here that Neha’s parents in their complaint had alleged that RAS officer Pradeep Balach, who is the prime accused in the murder case, was having an extra marital affair and was harassing Neha both mentally and physically for `10 lakhs and a bungalow. They claimed that Balach met the woman when he was posted in Jalore as a sub-divisional officer.

Superintendent of police Parish Anil Deshmukh said a police team led by deputy superintendent of police Neeraj Pathak went to Jalore to interrogate a woman. However, he denied disclosing the identity of the woman.

Sources claimed the woman was working as an assistant engineer at public works department in Jalore.

Meanwhile, local media reports claimed that during the interrogation, the woman had leveled serious allegation of sexual exploitation against Balach.

According to the reports, both Balach and the woman had talked over phone on the same day when Neha was murdered.

The police are also planning to register a case against the woman under Section 120(B) of IPC alleging her involvement in the case, the report said.

Deputy superintendent of police Neeraj Pathak said the investigation was on and the case will be disclosed soon.

Earlier on April 23, Neha’s father Bhimaram had lodged a dowry death case against RAS officer Pradeep Balach and his brother Hitesh. Bhimaram, a resident of Binjasar village, had accused Pradeep and Hitesh of beating his daughter.

Following his complaint, the police have arrested Pradeep and Hitesh. At present, both of them are in judicial custody.