The Fateful Night - Nov 19 2006

Here’s a factual summary of the unfolding of events on the fateful night of 19th November, 2005 - as revealed by the investigation:

During his two-year stint as an oil executive in the region—IOC’s first independent sales manager in over a decade—the 27-year-old Manjunath approved the opening of seven petrol pumps to loosen the grip of the cartel that controlled oil business in the region.

Mittal Automobiles is a dealership which has already run into trouble for selling adulterated fuel; Manjunath has warned them. The dealer’s son, Pawan Kumar alias Monu Mittal, is the de facto dealer.

Manjunath visits the Mittal petrol pump some time in the evening, and then visits a neighbouring petrol pump.

Monu has apparently planned the murder. When he finds that Manjunath has left behind a measuring instrument, he knows that Manjunath will return, and waits for him till 8.00 p.m – but Manju’s watching a cricket match.

Monu Mittal leaves the pump, calling up Manju to remind him of the instrument. When Manju arrives, the employees there call up Monu Mittal. He arrives at about 9.45 p.m., but not alone – he is accompanied by Devesh Agnihotri, a criminal with 10 cases against his name. They talked to Manjunath and even treated him to tea. Then, around 10 pm, they executed the plan.

The generator at the pump is switched on to drown the noise

Monu Mittal and his accomplice pull out revolvers and shoot six bullets into him.

Two of Monu Mittal’s handymen put Manjunath’s body in the rear seat of his car and take it to Monu Mittal’s sister’s petrol pump.

At midnight, the handymen drive the car to dispose the body at the Katna river—the river flows into Barabanki district. They had driven almost 50 km before being caught.

An alert police patrol sees the lone vehicle at night and asks them to stop for inspection; the criminals speed away, trying to escape from the police.

The police party gives chase and catches them redhanded with the body in the rear seat.

A thorough investigation is done by the police, and material evidences like revolver, cartridge and phone conversations are collected. Ballistic and forensic reports are also taken and the chargesheet is filed.

And After:
IOCL decides to immediately terminate the dealerships of the two petrol pumps. Mr. Mittal challenges this in court, as the contract calls for a notice period. The judge declines to give any relief to Mr. Mittal.


Here’s a factual summary of the unfolding of events on the fateful night of 19th November, 2005 - as revealed by the investigation: During his two-year stint as an oil executive in the region—IOC’s first independent sales manager in over a decade—the 27-year-old Manjunath approved the opening of seven petrol pumps to loosen the grip of the cartel that controlled oil business in the region. Mittal Automobiles is a dealership which has already run into trouble for selling adulterated fuel; Manjunath has warned them. The dealer’s son, Pawan Kumar alias Monu Mittal, is the de facto dealer. Manjunath visits the Mittal petrol pump some time in the evening, and then visits a neighbouring petrol pump. Monu has apparently planned the murder. When he finds that Manjunath has left behind a measuring instrument, he knows that Manjunath will return, and waits for him till 8.00 p.m – but Manju’s watching a cricket match. Monu Mittal leaves the pump, calling up Manju to remind him of the instrument. When Manju arrives, the employees there call up Monu Mittal. He arrives at about 9.45 p.m., but not alone – he is accompanied by Devesh Agnihotri, a criminal with 10 cases against his name. They talked to Manjunath and even treated him to tea. Then, around 10 pm, they executed the plan. The generator at the pump is switched on to drown the noise Monu Mittal and his accomplice pull out revolvers and shoot six bullets into him. Two of Monu Mittal’s handymen put Manjunath’s body in the rear seat of his car and take it to Monu Mittal’s sister’s petrol pump. At midnight, the handymen drive the car to dispose the body at the Katna river—the river flows into Barabanki district. They had driven almost 50 km before being caught. An alert police patrol sees the lone vehicle at night and asks them to stop for inspection; the criminals speed away, trying to escape from the police. The police party gives chase and catches them redhanded with the body in the rear seat. A thorough investigation is done by the police, and material evidences like revolver, cartridge and phone conversations are collected. Ballistic and forensic reports are also taken and the chargesheet is filed. And After: IOCL decides to immediately terminate the dealerships of the two petrol pumps. Mr. Mittal challenges this in court, as the contract calls for a notice period. The judge declines to give any relief to Mr. Mittal.