Noida killings: Villagers clash with cops

Nithari villagers on Monday fought pitched battles with the police, both pelting stones at each other, outside the residence of a businessman who along with his servant allegedly sexually abused children and murdered them.

The police also detained a woman Maya, who used to work in businessman's Moninder Singh Pandher's house as a maid, and who was allegedly instrumental in bringing women there.

As more body parts were dug out from around Pandher's house, hundreds of villagers, including the parents of the victims, descended on the spot, alleging there was an organ trade angle to the grisly killings.

A doctor neighbour of Pandher, Navin Chaudhury, was under the police scanner a few years ago in connection with an alleged kidney racket in his hospital.

SSP Noida R K S Rathore told reporters that they were investigating from all angles, including the possibility of an organ trade, but maintained that so far they had not got any information to support this.

Following suspicion from kin of the victims about organ trading, police searched Noida Medicare Centre, owned by Chaudhury, and also his residence.

"There was public suspicion. We also took some members of the public with us during the search of the hospital and the residence. Nothing doubtful has emerged. But, we will verify from all angles," he said.

Rathore said the situation in Nithari was under control, but felt some "outsiders" were trying to exploit it by fuelling trouble. "We will take strict action against them," he added.