Charges framed against Papiya murder accused

PATNA: A fast track court on Thursday framed charges against four accused in the murder of Patna University Professor Papiya Ghosh and her maid in December last year.

The court of Magistrate OP Srivastava also framed charges against a lawyer Ramchandra Mahto for allegedly purchasing a washing machine from the four accused in dishonest manner.

The four accused are Manohar Kumar, Ashish Kumar, Shanker Sah and Ashish Oraon.

The Magistrate fixed March 20 for beginning of recording of evidence in the case.

Papiya and her maid Malti were stabbed to death at the former's residence in the posh Pataliputra Colony on the night of December two while the valuables were being looted.

The police had announced a reward of Rs50,000 for those giving information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime following a public outcry which saw protests by students and the teaching fraternity.

The four accused were arrested on December 15 and the professor's car, laptop and other articles were recovered on the basis of information provided by them during interrogation.

Two other accused Mushtaqim and Sanyog Rai are still absconding.