The police said that one Dholia, a friend of the two brothers, who was last seen with them before the murders took place, left the country two days before the crime was discovered. They added that they were contemplating issuing a red corner notice for his arrest.

Superintendent of Police G Gambir said they have proof that Dholia has fled the country. “We have reasons to believe that he is in an African country and we plan to issue a red corner notice, but we need a concrete proof of his presence before doing that,” Gambhir said.

She further said the police have evidence linking him with the double murder. “We found that the tiles used to pull down the bodies match with those in his farmhouse in Thamda village in Anand.”

The bodies of Iqbal (35) and Nazir Rathod (30), both residents of Napad village, were recovered from the Narmada canal in Kapadvanj on February 2, while Dholia left the country on January 29.