Jeep driver arrested for multiple murders in Uttarakhand

A jeep driver, who allegedly murdered at least three passengers for their valuables, after offering them sedatives-laced drinks, was arrested here, police said today.

Acting on a tip-off, police nabbed Rashid alias Budha (32), from the forest area near Laldhang here following a brief exchange of fire, SP (Pauri Garhwal) Pushpak Jyoti told reporters.

"He is a basically a jeep driver, who used to bait lone passengers by offering beverages laced with drugs and then kill them for money," the SP said.

Police received information of Rashid's whereabouts after interrogating Himanshu Thapa, who was recently arrested in connection with the a murder, allegedly masterminded by Rashid, he said.

Rashid has admitted the murder of at least three persons, including a 28-year-old man, whose body has been recovered from a roadside drain near Sendhikhal here, he said.