Priest killed over property dispute

Body of a 65-year-old priest was found at Nehrunagar near Sector 6 in Moshi yesterday at 9 am. The deceased was identified as Sonba Sopan Shinde, a resident of Pimpri. Though the police are yet to ascertain the exact motive behind Shinde's murder, they suspect it could be fallout of an ongoing land dispute he was involved in.

Shinde was a priest at Laxmiaai Mandir in Nehrunagar and doubled as an estate agent too. He was involved in several property deals in his hometown in Markal village. Shinde's daughter Amruta Amit Umbre (23) lodged an FIR against unknown killers. They have been booked under Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (destroying evidence) of the Indian Penal Code.

Officials of the MIDC police station in Bhosari said they were informed about a body lying near the water tank in Nehrunagar. Upon inspection, it came to fore that deceased was hit on his head that lead to his death.

Investigation revealed that Shinde was involved in a dealing of a disputed land in Kalewadi. He was supposed to meet a person on Sunday evening at around 5 pm following which he went missing. Police officials said prima facie it appeared that Shinde was murdered somewhere else before the killers dumped hi body in Nehrunagar.

Police Inspector R P Kunte of the MIDC police station said, "We have got vital clues related to the land dealing in which the deceased and a few others are involved. We are verifying the details and role of those persons in the offence." u00a0