MUMBAI, November 4: Two police constables and the watchman of Pawanbaug Co-operative Housing Society, Malad were killed by a gang of robbers early this morning. The robbers used iron rods, stones and choppers to inflict multiple injuries on the three and then crushed their skulls with heavy boulders. Police suspect the involvement of Fasse Pardhi, a community notorious for committing robberies using crude weapons and excessive violence.

Joint Commissioner (crime) Ranjit Singh Sharma said the murders could have taken place around 12.20 am as the beat officer had inspected the area only a few minutes earlier. The deceased constables, Ravi Sawant (26) and Anil Karar (30), members of a special squad, were unarmed. ``A gang of Fasse Pardhis is suspected to be involved. We are working on some clues and finger prints,'' Sharma said.

Malad police said the gang was leaving after burgling the third-floor residence (flat nos 302 and 303, building no 9) of Lalit Jain, when the watchman of the building Ram Bahadur Singh intercepted them. The robbers attacked him with knives and choppers. Alerted by Singh's screams, two constables who were on their regular rounds, rushed to his help. They too were assaulted by the gang members injuring them seriously. A rickshaw driver, who had just dropped a passenger in the neighbouring society, saw the trio lying in a pool of blood and informed the Malad police. They were then rushed to the Bhagwati Hospital, Borivli, where they were declared dead before admission.

So mutilated were the bodies that the members of the detection squad of Zone 10, who took the trio to the hospital, were unaware of the fact that Sawant and Karar were police constables till the time they reached the hospital and checked their identities.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 10 Dr K Venkatasham too suspects the involvement of `Fasse Pardhis.' Police sources said the tribe specialises in breaking open doors of flats. The gang members apply oil on their bodies (which makes it difficult to get a hold on them) and attack anyone who comes in their way with stones.

The Jain family is in Berhampur, Madhya Pradesh for Diwali and will be back only tomorrow. When this reporter visited the Jain household, which comprises two flats in the name of Lalit and his wife, the door was broken and the contents of two cupboards in one bedroom were scattered on the floor. Neighbours were reluctant to talk. All they would say was that they did not see anything as the robbery took place when they were fast asleep.

Venkatasham said that the two constables will be given a compensation of Rs 1.50 lakh to Rs 2 lakh each. The duo will also be recommended for gallantry awards. Both the constables were sons of policemen. Karal's father recently retired from service, while Sawant's father is an assistant sub-inspector. Police said the funeral will take place tomorrow.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.