Patna: Nearly three months after a couple was allegedly murdered over a property dispute, police on Monday recovered their skeletal remains from Bochahan area of Muzaffarpur. The accused, identified as Anuj (35), the brother of the deceased Manoj Bhagat, was arrested from Varanasi on Aug 23, police said.According to police, Anuj allegedly killed his brother and sister-in-law on May 19 night, transported their bodies in his car and buried them around 12 km from their home in Bochahan police station area. During interrogation, police said, Anuj confessed to the crime and led investigators to the spot where the remains were recovered.The deceased were identified as laptop businessman Manoj Bhagat (48) and his wife Meenu Devi (45), residents of Brahmpura police station area. The accused has been sent to judicial custody, while police are likely to seek his remand for further interrogation.The couple lived in a building in Brahmpura that housed their residence and around 12 rented shops. Police said the rental income was received by the couple.According to the police investigation, Anuj reached the couple’s house on May 19 night when no one else was present there. Their daughter, Shefali, had been living at her in-laws’ home following her marriage last year.Police said Anuj allegedly strangled Meenu. When Manoj arrived and saw his wife being attacked, he confronted his brother. A scuffle followed, during which Anuj allegedly struck Manoj on the head with an idol kept inside the house. Manoj died of the injuries, police said.Police said Anuj then placed the bodies in his car and buried them in Bochahan police station area along Darbhanga Road.The following morning, neighbours went to the couple’s house but could not find them. They informed Shefali, who tried calling her parents but found both mobile phones switched off. She subsequently informed the police, following which a missing-person report was registered at Brahmpura police station.During the investigation, a forensic team examined the house and found bloodstains in a room, police said.Muzaffarpur SSP Kantesh Kumar Mishra said Shefali had suspected Anuj from the beginning and alleged that he could have harmed her parents over the property. Police also became suspicious after Anuj allegedly went missing following the incident.“During investigation, bloodstains linked to the couple were found inside Anuj’s car, which was allegedly used to dispose of the bodies. The forensic examination and comparison of the evidence helped the police establish a link between the crime scene and the vehicle,” the SSP said.Police said the investigation indicated that Anuj allegedly wanted control over the property and rental income. Further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and the motive behind the killings.
