Witnesses name Indian national, live-in partner as suspects in Singh kidnap-slay
As it turned out, another Indian national and his live-in partner were pointed as the suspects behind the kidnap-slay of another Indian businessman Naib Singh.
Witnesses Ranjit Kaur and daughter Pavandeep Kaur, both Singh’s kin, pointed to Harpreet Singh and Shirly Lago alias Sally Besonia as the two persons who masterminded Singh’s abduction.
In their sworn statements to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Ranjit said that Harpreet was also into the lending business like that of her husband.
However, Harpreet’s business went to bankrupcy.
For several times, Harpreet allegedly tried to borrow money from the victim to revive his business.
However, Singh did not give in to Harpreet’s request.
Later, the suspect allowed Lago, his alleged live-in partner, to work as a househelp in Singh’s house at Jaro, Iloilo City.
More than being a househelp, Lago was allegedly there to spy on Singh’s activities.
Ranjit added that last May 28, Lago asked Singh’s schedule on collecting money in Sara town.
The victim informed her that he was schedule to go in the area the following day,
As if on cue, the helper claimed that she was suffering from pains of abortion and asked to be excused from doing her chores.
She was also given her salary for her one-week work.
It was gathered that Lago’s whereabouts is not known while her live-in partner was deemed to have gone back to his native India last June 1.
To note, police investigators earlier pointed out that business rivalry seemed to be the most likely motive behind the Singh kidnap-slay.
To note, Singh, 45, of Gran Plains Subdivision, Jaro, Iloilo City, was found dead a day after he was abducted at Sara town, Iloilo last May 29.
Singh’s body was found at 6:00 in the morning of the following day at the far-flung Sitio Ulang, Brgy. Sibariwan, Dumarao, Capiz.
According to Dumarao Police Station, the victim bore five stab wounds on his body and his head was obviously struck with a hard object.
On board his Mitsubishi Adventure, the victim was abducted by four men at around 5:00 p.m. of May 29 while Singh was collecting payment for his lending business.
Jagraj Singh, brother of the victim, said that the kidnappers demanded P7 million for Naiv’s release but he appealed to reduce the ransom to P1 million and he promised to give the amount 5:00 p.m. of May 30, 2010.
In the end, however, the family opted not to give a single cent after learning that the victim was killed.
Reports indicated that Singh could have been murdered on the night of May 29.
