Late on May 28, a group of farmers was robbed of Rs 14 lakh and their driver was killed near Patran. The farmers were reportedly on their way home after selling a plot of land in Mansa. The police had made a breakthrough in the case within 24 hours and arrested the three.

Those arrested include main accused Yadwinder Singh alias Laddi, son of one Jaswinder Singh of Paharpur under Sadar police station. The police had recovered a Maruti car, a .32-bore foreign-made pistol and Rs 2.7 lakh from his possession.

Besides, Gurmit Singh alias Bawa, son of one Mehar Singh, was arrested and Rs 1.15 lakh recovered from him. Moreover, Tarsem Kumar, who had allegedly planned the crime in connivance with few others, was also arrested and a Ford Ikon car and Rs 50,000 recovered from him.

Patiala SSP S K Asthana said today that Rs 2.5 lakh was also recovered from Bikramjit Singh alias Vicky and Rs 90,000 from Gurpreet Singh alias Bagga. The two had been arrested earlier.

Harvinder Singh, uncle of the main accused Yadwinder, submitted an affidavit stating that his nephew was a part of the dacoity. The uncle of the accused claimed that Yadwinder had paid Rs 5 lakh to Inspector Dhaliwal who assured that he would save them from police action.

The SSP said the inspector has been booked in a separate case under Section 8/9 of 13(1), 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act and 420 IPC.

Meanwhile, the Punjab DGP has commended the role of the police for solving the case and has send appreciation letters to SSP S K Asthana, SP(D) Gurmeet Chauhan and DSP Patran Sukhdev Singh Virk and commendation certificate to 22 personnel.

Meanwhile, the Patiala Police has claimed to have arrested five persons who were planning dacoities in the city.