Pune Police Recover Decomposed Body, Arrest Brother-in-Law for Murder
Pune: In a grim development, the Ambegaon police on Saturday made a shocking discovery in a forested area near the New Katraj Tunnel. They recovered the decomposed body of a woman, approximately 25 years old, who had been missing since March 18 from her residence in Narhe. The police have identified the deceased as Manisha Khamma Damai and have swiftly arrested her brother-in-law, Prakash Tikhatri (30), in connection with her murder.
Details of the Crime and Arrest
According to police officials, the arrest followed a confession from Prakash Tikhatri, who admitted to throttling Manisha to death during an argument concerning their breakup. Inspector Gajanan Chormale of the Ambegaon police provided crucial insights into the case. He revealed that both Prakash and Manisha, along with their families, hailed from Nepal and worked as daily wage laborers in various parts of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
Inspector Chormale elaborated on the relationship dynamics, stating, "Prakash was married to Manisha's sister. Manisha was also married. The two would often go out together, a practice that their families had objected to on multiple occasions." This background set the stage for the tragic events that unfolded.
Timeline of Events Leading to the Discovery
The incident traces back to March 18, when Prakash and Manisha left their respective homes and met at a designated spot on the Katraj-Dehu Road bypass. However, neither of them returned, sparking concern among their families. Surprisingly, the families did not immediately report the disappearances to the police, assuming the pair might be spending time together as they often did. Instead, they conducted their own searches over the following days.
The breakthrough came on Saturday morning when Prakash unexpectedly returned home. His family, anxious about Manisha's whereabouts, questioned him, but he provided only evasive answers. His brother then took him to Manisha's family home, where he continued to avoid giving clear responses. Growing suspicious, a relative of Manisha escorted Prakash to the Narhe police station for further interrogation.
Confession and Recovery of the Body
Under police questioning, Prakash finally broke down and confessed to the crime. He admitted to strangling Manisha to death and subsequently disposing of her body in a forested area. Following his confession, Prakash led teams from both the Narhe and Ambegaon police to the exact location where he had dumped the body. There, the police recovered Manisha's decomposed remains, confirming the grim details of his account.
In the aftermath, Kisan Parihar (25), a relative of Manisha from Narhe, formally lodged a complaint with the police on Saturday, initiating legal proceedings. The police have noted that Prakash has been unemployed, adding another layer to the investigation into potential motives behind the violent act.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic and interpersonal violence in the region, with authorities emphasizing the importance of timely reporting of missing persons to prevent such tragedies. The Ambegaon police continue their investigation to uncover any additional details surrounding this heartbreaking incident.
