Crimewatch appeal following murder of Raju Modhwadia

Leicestershire Police are making an appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch today (Tuesday) following the murder of Raju Modhawadia.

Mr Modhwadia, 41, was found with stab wound injuries in Evington Road, Leicester, during the early hours of Monday 27 December 2021.

He was taken to hospital but sadly died a short time later.

Leicestershire Police immediately launched a murder investigation with full enquiries being carried out including CCTV analysis, house-to-house enquiries, public appeals for help and forensic analysis.

In May 2022, five men who had been charged with the murder of Mr Modhwadia, were found not guilty. This was following a thorough review of the evidence by the Crown Prosecution Service and a decision made, in accordance with the Crown Prosecutor’s duty, that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case at court.

The investigation to establish who is responsible for Mr Modhwadia’s death remains ongoing and today (Tuesday) the Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Nicole Main, will appear on BBC’s Crimewatch programme to make a further appeal for information. The programme will show a filmed reconstruction of Mr Modhwadia’s last movements along with an interview and appeal from DCI Main.

The programme will be broadcast today (Tuesday) at 10am on BBC One. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer. More information on the programme can be found here - BBC One - Crimewatch Live

The charity Crimestoppers are also offering a £20,000 reward for any information which leads to the conviction of those responsible for Mr Modhwadia’s murder.

Only information given to Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police, will be eligible for the reward. The reward offer is in place from today (Tuesday) until 15 June 2023.

DCI Main said: “This was a horrific attack which led to the loss of a 41-year-old man’s life. It is now over a year since Mr Modhwadia’s death but the team remain committed to identifying who is responsible to provide the much-needed answers for his family.

“We have a dedicated ongoing investigation but we continue to need your help. Someone out there has the information which we need. We hope that by speaking about the investigation on Crimewatch along with the offer of the £20,000 Crimestoppers reward, this may just help someone to come forward to us. It is not too late.”

Speaking about the investigation, DCI Main added: “From our enquiries, we know that Mr Modhwadia was at a gathering shortly before his death in the area of Hamilton Street, near the junction with St Albans Road. This would have been during the evening of Boxing Day last year – Sunday 26 December 2021. Mr Modhwadia was then found with his injuries in Evington Road, Leicester, during the early hours of Monday 27 December 2021 with police being called to the incident at 12.32am.

“We know this is a busy area – please think back to if you were in the area on Boxing Day evening and/or during the early hours of Monday 27 December of 2021. Did you see or hear anything which you have not yet spoken to us about? Did you witness the incident or any other altercations? Do you have any footage from the area at the time which you have not shown to us? Or have you any knowledge of the incident or those involved? Have you heard something since about what happened on that night?

“It is not too late to speak and to provide information. If you have any information that you think may help us, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please make contact.

“Thank you to everyone who has provided us with information so far – your help and support is very much appreciated. Please be assured we are doing everything we can to find who is responsible and please continue speaking with us as our investigation continues. Thank you.”

You can report to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Please note the Crimestoppers reward of up to £20,000 is only available for information which the charity exclusively receives, either online or by phone, which leads to the arrest and conviction of anymore involved in the murder of Mr Modhwadia. Further information can be found below.

Anyone who does wish to pass information on directly to police can report online at www.leics.police.uk or by calling 101. Alternatively you can report at the public portal here - Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)

Crimestoppers reward

**This reward is being offered by the charity Crimestoppers who is completely independent of the police and only information given to Crimestoppers will be eligible for the reward**

**Those who contact Crimestoppers can give their information completely anonymously and this can be done by their secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling the Crimestoppers UK Contact Centre freephone number of 0800 555 111 which is open 24/7.

A reward code must be asked for when calling the charity. If you contact Crimestoppers via their website, the 'keeping in contact’ facility must be used and a reward code must be requested. You must log back in 24 hours later to get the code. You will be asked to check with Crimestoppers two months later with the reward code to see if there has been a positive result. More details about the rewards process can be found on the Crimestoppers website.**