Pune Police Crack Murder Case, Arrest Six for Woman's Stone Quarry Death
The Pune city crime branch has made a significant breakthrough in a disturbing murder case, arresting six individuals including an autorickshaw driver for their alleged involvement in the killing of a 40-year-old woman. The victim was reportedly pushed into a stone quarry in Katraj on February 10 following what authorities describe as a trivial argument.
Details of the Arrests and Investigation
Police have taken into custody autorickshaw driver Keshav Kamlesh Chowdhari, aged 20, from Katraj. Also arrested were his friends Abdul Mohammed Shaikh, 23, and Sonu Laxman Pawar, 19, both residents of Katraj. Three additional alleged accomplices were apprehended: Mahadev Vhorde, 40, Sai Pujari, 19, and Sohail Khan, 20.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingale provided crucial details about the investigation. The Bharati Vidyapeeth police discovered the woman's body in the quarry on February 11 and immediately registered a case. "We initiated a parallel investigation and meticulously examined several CCTV cameras in the vicinity," Pingale stated. "Our review soon revealed that a group of men had visited the quarry area and pushed the woman's body into it after an argument."
Sequence of Events Leading to the Crime
According to police reconstruction of events, the victim, a resident of Dandekar Bridge, had requested a lift from an autorickshaw driver on the Katraj–Kondhwa road. Two men were already seated in the vehicle when she boarded. Instead of taking her to her intended destination, the three men diverted the autorickshaw toward an isolated spot in Katraj.
"The argument between the woman and the three occupants began after they changed the route and headed toward a secluded area," Pingale explained. "They proceeded to take the vehicle to an isolated stone quarry where they pushed her into it. Following this act, the trio sought assistance from three others to help suppress evidence of the crime."
Extensive CCTV Investigation and Evidence
A dedicated police team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Shailesh Shankhe and Inspector Ashwini Jagtap conducted an exhaustive investigation, examining footage from an impressive 97 CCTV cameras. Their diligent work enabled them to identify the registration number of the autorickshaw that had traveled to the quarry site on the day of the incident.
Inspector Jagtap revealed an attempt to obstruct the investigation: "In an effort to mislead investigators, the autorickshaw driver changed the hood of the vehicle." This attempt at concealment ultimately proved unsuccessful as police pieced together the evidence through their comprehensive CCTV analysis.
The case highlights both the brutality of the crime and the thorough investigative work undertaken by Pune police authorities. The arrests demonstrate law enforcement's commitment to solving serious crimes through meticulous evidence gathering and analysis, even when perpetrators attempt to cover their tracks.
