No headway in journalist murder case

NEW DELHI: The mystery behind the murder of Soumya Viswanathan, a young journalist working with TV news channel Headlines Today, deepened on Wednesday with the police being unable to make any headway in the case.

Twenty-five-year-old Soumya was found shot dead in her car at Vasant Kunj in the early hours of Tuesday. Her vehicle was sent to the forensic science laboratory on Wednesday for an examination by experts. A hole, apparently caused by a bullet, was found in the front registration number plate.

Though earlier, the police suspected that the bullet might have pierced through the number plate, later, the forensic experts ruled out the theory.

The forensic team will also try to find if some blue dents on the right side of the vehicle were caused by another vehicle.

A tuft of hair was also found on the back seat of the car. The police have so far not come up with a logical explanation for it. Besides, a small portion of her scalp was recovered from the front portion of the rear seat.

A police team again studied the spot where Soumya’s car was found and lifted some evidence.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Delhi) H.G.S. Dhaliwal told the media that as per preliminary investigations it seemed two bullets might have been fired. The police suspect that a .315 bore country-made firearm was used. They have come across a person who claimed to have seen Soumya’s vehicle veer out of control before ramming into the central verge.

The police are investigating all possible angles including road rage and personal enmity. Robbery as a motive seems unlikely as Soumya’s belongings, including her mobile phone and purse, were found intact.

The police are planning to question Soumya’s friends and relatives for clues. Her colleagues have also been approached to find out if they have any relevant information.

Courtesy:  Date:02/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/02/stories/2008100260540300.htm

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