Till a few years ago, Rocky was working with Dimpy when the former was affiliated with UP-based gangster Mukhtar Ansari’s group, said police. Though investigating officers refused to divulge further details, sources said they are planning to question Rocky at length. Police said, these days, he is enjoying the patronage of certain senior Uttar Pradesh politicians.

Rocky, who is also wanted for an attempt to murder case last year, had emerged as a prime suspect in the Dimpy murder case, said police. In August, 2006 Chandigarh Police asked for his consent to narco-analysis and polygraph tests. It was followed by a reminder in September. Rocky refused and has been absconding ever since.

“Though the evidence available was quite vague, the information that we managed to collect turned the needle of suspicion towards Rocky. Initially, we were also suspecting Sandeep Bhau, another man of Dimpy’s league and a close confidant of Mukhtar Ansari. Bhau’s interrogation has not yielded much. Though we have not given him a clean chit as yet, it appears that Rocky, who had a tiff with Dimpy over money, may have got him bumped off,” said an officer.

Sources said Rocky and Dimpy had not been getting along for the last few years ever since they had kidnapped a Bangalore-based coal mine owner. Dimpy and Rocky had demanded a ransom of Rs 10 crore for his release. Rocky, who was arrested, was promised a share after his release from jail but did not get the money, said police.