Atul had disappeared three days ago from Kiraoli, a small town 20 km from here.

 Police said Ikram the servant of the merchant has been arrested along with three other accomplices and he has confessed abducting Atul to demand a ransom. But when his plan misfired, the gang decided to finish him off. Atul was strangulated with a rope and his body was buried in a field. The next day Ikram returned to the dealer's shop and started working.

 Police took Ikram into custody suspecting him after a tip from a local contact. On interrogation Ikram broke down and gave all the details of the gory crime that has shaken this small town.

Atul's body was sent for autopsy.