3 Arrested In Gujarat Journalist Kishore Dave's Murder

Ahmedabad: Three people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Gujarat journalist Kishore Dave, who was stabbed to death in his office on Monday night.

Main accused Feroz Ala and two others Sanjay Rathod, Arif Sayeed were arrested on Wednesday and they have confessed to the crime, said senior police officer Nilesh Jajadiya.

Mr Dave, who was the bureau chief of a Gujarati newspaper called 'Jai Hind' in the town of Junagadh in Saurashtra region, was stabbed repeatedly in the chest around 9 pm, while he was writing a story, said police sources. He was alone when he was attacked; there are no security cameras at the small one-room office. An office assistant found his body.

Firoz, according to the police, was Mr Dave's business partner - the two were jointly running a travel business. Kishore owned two buses and a mini bus.

"From the last few months Firoz had been insisting that ownership of one of the buses be transferred in his name, but Kishore was dilly dallying. He was also upset that Kishore did not help him in a legal matter, and also when his daughter was unwell,'' Mr Jajadiya said.

On Monday night, Firoz, Sanjay, and Arif went to Kishore's office where they entered into an argument following which Firoz stabbed him multiple times, police said.

The accused then burnt his blood-soaked clothes, which have been recovered by the police.  ''We have also recovered parts of Kishore's mobile which were stolen by the accused.'' Mr Jajadiya said.