Mira Road journalist's murder: Another bar owner plotted attack

A day after the editor of a weekly was murdered a few hours after the Mira Road police carried out a raid on White House bar in Bhayander, the incident also saw three journalists assaulted by the joint's staff, chilling details of the crime have emerged.

A reliable source has told dna that slain editor Raghavendra Dube was targeted at the behest of the owner of Lovebird Orchestra bar. The owner of this bar wanted to take advantage of the fact that any attack on Dube will point the needle of suspicion to White House staffers and its owner.

The mastermind, who is among four arrested, in Dube's murder, was upset that the editor often tipped off the police about illegal dance bars in the area, said the source. "He wanted to get rid of him at any cost and thought this was a great opportunity."

The raid at White House in Bhayander began around 12.30am on Friday with the rescue of 14 girls. When the three journalists went to the spot to cover the action, they were assaulted by the bar staff. Soon, one of the scribes – Santosh Mishra – went missing.

After learning about the attack and Mishra's disappearance, Dube went to Mira Road police to discuss the matter. Hours later, his body was found in a pool of blood outside AS Regency lodge in Bhayander.

"We have arrested four people in the Dube murder case and they have been remanded to police custody till July 24," said Rajesh Pradhan, district superintendent of police (Thane rural). The police refused to come on record on the role of Lovebird Orchestra bar's owner.