Cops arrest Patna historian killers

Patna: Four men who allegedly killed noted historian and Patna University Professor, Papiya Ghosh, have been taken into police custody two weeks after the murder.

The professor and her maid were stabbed to death at Ghosh’s residence in the posh Pataliputra colony, when they tried to resist robbers on December 2.

The entire house has been ransacked and everything of value, including her car had been stolen.

SSP Patna, Kundan Krishnan, says, "We rounded up 15 to 16 people and took their fingerprints before zeroing in on the four who have been held. Ninety per cent of the stolen goods have been recovered."

However, he says that though they will file a chargesheet very soon, a medical examination will be conducted on the four to find out whether they are juvenile or not. According to that, action will be taken.

On Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh personally called up Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to inquire into the progress of the investigation team.

Sources in Chief Minister's office said Dr Singh offered central assistance to expedite the investigation and book the assailants.

However, since law and order is a state subject, Nitish Kumar turned down the offer, though he said that he would certainly seek Central help if the situation so warranted.

Papiya Ghosh's murder had triggered widespread protests in the academic and political circles in Patna.

The incident even rocked the Bihar Assembly when Opposition parties disrupted the proceedings on Monday.

“We will not let the House progress until a CBI inquiry is made into the matter,” RJD member Rabri Devi had said.

(With inputs from UNI)

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