Shepherd Apprehended for Alleged Murder of 75-Year-Old Woman in Farm Grazing Conflict
In a significant development, the local crime branch of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Rural police has arrested a shepherd on Friday for the alleged murder of a 75-year-old woman. The victim, Sundarabai Namdev Jadhav, was found brutally murdered at a farm in Shekta shivar five days prior, following a dispute over grazing animals.
Details of the Gruesome Crime
The murder occurred on February 21 under the jurisdiction of the Karmad police station. Sundarabai Namdev Jadhav, a resident of Shekta village, was discovered lying in a pool of blood in a field at a farm in Shekta Shivar. She had sustained severe head injuries after being attacked with a large stone. Based on a formal complaint lodged by her 51-year-old son, Sanjay, the Karmad police registered an offence under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against an unidentified person.
Intensive Police Investigation
Considering the gravity of the offence, Superintendent of Police Vinaykumar Rathod directed the Local Crime Branch to conduct a parallel probe. Additional SP Annapurna Singh revealed that four specialized teams were formed to investigate the case. Three teams were led by Inspector Vijaysing Rajput, with one additional team from the Karmad police station.
Sub-divisional Police Officer Puja Nagare provided insights into the investigative process: "The police teams conducted a detailed inspection of the crime scene, meticulously scanned CCTV footage from nearby areas, and activated a comprehensive network of informers within the village."
Breakthrough in the Case
During the course of the investigation, Inspector Rajput received crucial information indicating that the accused, Darkuba Balaji Bhaule of Ladsawangi, had been grazing his sheep in the Shekta area on the day of the murder. Although he frequently brought his flock to this location, he suspiciously went missing immediately after the murder was discovered.
Further inquiry uncovered that Bhaule had been employed with a farmer in Shevgaon but had not reported for work for the past two days. Acting on technical inputs and intelligence, the police successfully traced and detained him from Golatgaon.
Motive and Confession
According to police statements, the accused confessed that Sundarabai Jadhav would consistently object and verbally abuse him whenever he grazed his sheep in the Shekta area. On the fateful day of the murder, she allegedly abused him again, which provoked him to attack her with a large stone after finding her alone under a tree in the field.
The arrest marks a crucial step in resolving this tragic case that has shocked the local community. The police continue their investigation to ensure all aspects of the crime are thoroughly examined.
