Amour's Death Wish

Arnab Pratim Dutta September 09, 2002 00:00 IST Amour's Death Wish -0001-11-30T00:00:00+05:53

The Congress’ glee at the BJP’s discomfiture over the Shivani murder case was swiftly punctured last week when three of its Delhi politicians were found to be allegedly involved in a murder case—one (Atma Ram Gupta) as victim, another (Sharda Jain) as perpetrator and the third (Memwati Barwala) as the ostensible motive. Senior Congress leaders are nervous and have reportedly briefed Jain on what to tell the police.

The initial reports of a love triangle were based on Sharda’s statement to the police that she was jealous of Gupta’s interest in Memwati. But things could be more sinister, with police sources saying there was a money angle to it as well. Closely linked with the "tender mafia", Gupta had apparently received—along with another influential corporator—Rs 5 crore in advance for ensuring that an octroi contract went to a particular party. The total deal was for Rs 15 crore, but was jeopardised by a Supreme Court order banning entry of trucks into Delhi.

The money was allegedly kept with Sharda, Gupta’s friend, whose benami farmhouse on the...