DGP Prisons Hemant Kumar Lohia brutally murdered, domestic help arrested

New Delhi, October 4

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have started a detailed investigation in murder of DGP (Prisons) Hemant Kumar Lohia and arrested his domestic help, the prime suspect in the case.

DGP Lohia was found dead at his Udaiwala residence on the outskirts of Jammu on October 3 while his domestic help identified as Yasir was found absconding. 

This incident has sent a jolt to J&K Police specially before Union Home Minister Amit Shah is going to arrive in Jammu for a three-day visit to the Union Territory.

ADG Jammu, Mukesh Singh stated that the domestic help has been arrested while the murder weapon has been recovered. A diary of the accused has also been found, which reflects his depressed mental state. 

The J&K Police tweeted, "In a major manhunt launched by J&K police throughout the night, the accused involved in murder case of Shri Hemant Lohia has been apprehended".

A 1992 batch IPS officer, Hemant Kumar Lohia was posted as the DGP prisons in August. Burn injuries were also found on his body.

Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said preliminary examination of the crime scene indicated that the killer had first suffocated Lohia to death and also used a broken ketchup bottle to slit his throat. He later attempted to set ablaze the body of Lohia.

The police have recovered CCTV footage collected from the crime scene, which allegedly shows the suspect Yasir running away after the murder took place. He was working in the house for nearly six months. 

The mobile data services have been temporarily suspended in Jammu and Rajouri districts citing fear of misuse by "anti-national elements, that may cause deterioration in public order."

However, a terror outfit has claimed the responsibility of the murder citing it as a gift ahead of HM Shah's visit.

In a press release, terror outfit PAFF said, “Our special squad carried out an intelligence based operation in Udaiwala, Jammu, eliminating DG of police, prisons department HK Lohia, a high value target.

It further said, "The PAFF has claimed all recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including attacks on non-locals. Threatening to carry out more such high-profile operations, the terror group warned that it can “strike anytime and anywhere with precision”.

“This is a small gift to their visiting Home Minister amid such a security grid,” the PAFF said, referring to Amit Shah who is on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.