03 November,2014 05:48 AM IST | | Ajay Rupanavar
Taking help from CCTV footage outside Punawale leader Raju Darshile’s office, where he was shot, cops nab a history-sheeter and four of his accomplices
Raju Darshile
Police have finally solved the murder case of Shiv Sena leader from Punawale, Raju Darshile (in pic), and have arrested a history-sheeter and four of his accomplices. According to Hinjewadi police, the suspects hatched the murder conspiracy as Darshile was preventing other builders from developing plots in the village.
Raju Darshile
The arrested accused have been identified as Sachin Kudale (31) from Punewale, Shahrukh Shaikh ailas Papya (20) from Bhor, Gautam More (33) and Prakash Dongre from Pimpri, and Mohan Mujumle alias Babu from Wakad.
On October 18, a day prior to state assembly election results, Darshile was shot dead by three people outside his Punawale office. According to police, Darshile had opposed the main accused, Kudale's previous love affair and was also preventing builders from developing plots in the village, which has now become a hot spot for real estate development. Inspector Suresh Bhosale, in-charge of Hinjewadi police station, said, "Kudale had hatched the murder plot. Shahrukh had taken blood money and ace shooters Prakash and Mohan reached Darshile's office on a bike and shot him."
Constable from Hinjewadi police station received a tip-off about one of the accused. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III), Rajendra Mane, said, "Based on the CCTV footage obtained outside Darshile's office, and the tip-off, we zeroed-in on the suspects.
Constable Ashish Botke's informers identified one of the shooters as Shahrukh, who also has cases registered against him at Bhor police station. Primary investigation revealed that Kudale was kingpin of the gang."
"Shahrukh and one of Kudale's common friends were seen in Punawale area a day before and on the day of the murder. Shahrukh had been missing from Bhor since last 10 days. After the murder, they were on the run and were taking shelter in the outskirt areas of the state. On Saturday, we nabbed them from Gulbarga in Karnataka," added Mane. The gang was produced before the judicial magistrate (First Class) court on Sunday and have been remanded to police custody till November 11.
