No concrete leads into BJP worker and his wife’s murder

Vadodara: The Mahisagar district police have formed four different teams to probe the murder of a veteran BJP member and his wife. No concrete leads, however, emerged in the case till Friday.
The double murder took place at the Golana Palla village of Lunawada taluka in Mahisagar. Tribhuvandas Panchal (75) who used to stay with his wife Jashoda was found dead in their house on Thursday morning.Panchal was a BJP worker since its Jan Sangh days and was a member of the Mahisagar district BJP executive committee. While the couple was found dead on Thursday morning, it has come to light that they may have been murdered on Wednesday night itself. Panchal had spoken to a man who used to till his farm over phone at 8.35pm on Wednesday night and may have been killed soon after.
Deputy superintendent of police N V Patel said that cash and jewellery had remained untouched in the house. Panchal too was wearing rings that were not taken by the accused.
Police believe that the murderer may have been known to Panchal as he had gone into his courtyard and opened the gate at the back of the house. This gate was not used commonly except at times when Panchal wanted to go to buy milk. The couple and others used the front entrance of the house.
According to Patel, Panchal may have been having his dinner when someone came at the rear gate. “There was food on his hand and he had eaten only a few morsels. The key of the gate was also found on him hinting that he had opened the gate,” Patel added.
The police had even asked the son to check the house and see if something was missing. “The son too said nothing was missing from the house,” said Patel.