Rajkot: A 54-year-old vegetable trader was killed in a suspected robbery near Viramdad village in Devbhumi Dwarka district on Wednesday evening, with gold ornaments worth an estimated Rs 24.5 lakh missing from his body.The deceased, Asif Lakha, was found with to have suffered injuries from blunt force and bladed weapons on an unpaved road within the limits of Viramdad village near Khambhalia. Investigators suspect robbery was the primary motive for the killing. Asif’s younger brother, Hamid Lakha, lodged an FIR at Jamkhambhalia Police Station against — Haja Asani and Lakkirajsinh alias Mahipalsinh Vadher.The complaint states that Asif usually wore around 35 tolas of gold jewellery, including two gold chains, thick gold bracelets, a pearl-studded bangle and several gold rings, collectively valued at approximately Rs 24.5 lakh. All of these were missing when his body was found. According to the complaint, Asif had visited his brother’s clothing shop on Wednesday evening. While there, he received a phone call and told the caller he was at the shop and would soon leave for Kanjar Hotel. He then left on his motorcycle.When Asif’s phone was later found to be switched off, his family grew concerned and began searching for him. Acting on information, relatives reached the unpaved road near Viramdad village, where they found him in a pool of blood. Police and local residents were already at the spot. Asif had wounds to his head, face and chest. He was rushed to Khambhalia Govt Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.Hamid Lakha said that he learned from local residents that Haja Asani and Lakkirajsinh alias Mahipalsinh Vadher had lured Asif to the location as part of a conspiracy before killing him and fleeing with his gold jewellery. Police booked both accused under for murder, robbery and related offences and launched a search.Investigating officer C R Rana said the probe is focusing on the motive, mobile phone call records, evidence from the crime scene and other technical inputs. “Preliminary investigation indicates that robbery appears to be the primary motive, but all possible angles are being examined,” Rana added.
