Builder on way to temple stabbed to death in Virar

Relatives said Kadam visited the Shiv temple every Monday in Shravan

A small-time builder from Virar was stabbed to death in the early hours of Monday. Victim Nishant Naresh Kadam, 31, was on his way to offer prayers at a temple when he was attacked. A business dispute is believed to have triggered the crime.

"The deceased was heading to a nearby Shiv temple in Virar East. He was on his Scooty when unknown men hit him with an iron rod and repeatedly stabbed him on his back. He died on the spot," said Assistant Commissioner of Police Renuka Bagde. The officer said the crime was committed between 3-3.30 am. "His relatives told us that he would visit the Shiv temple every Monday in Shravan," said Bagde.

Kadam had started with three other men who were on a different motorcycle. "When Kadam did not reach the temple, the trio returned only to find him lying in a pool of blood. They informed the police and his relatives," said Bagde. The police took Kadam to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The cops have recovered a blood-stained iron rod and a chopper from the crime spot.

The spot where Kadam was hit by an iron rod and stabbed multiple times. Pics/Hanif Patel

Sources at Virar police station told mid-day that around a dozen people will be grilled following the murder which has spread terror in the area. "The brother of the deceased has named a few suspects and we have called them for questioning. Prime facie, it seems to be a business rivalry," said an officer attached to the police station.

The police said there are no CCTV cameras near the spot where Kadam was targeted. "There were multiple stab wounds on his [Kadam's] back. All the killers escaped taking advantage of the darkness early in the morning," said a police officer.

Maggot-filled body found

In Vasai, a decaying body has been recovered near Khaniwade toll naka on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway. The in-charge of Mandovi police chowkie Dilip Rakh told mid-day, "It was a highly decomposed body of a male with maggots all over. His age could be between 30-35 years. The post-mortem has been conducted and viscera has been preserved. Nothing suspicious."

Skeleton in Wada

Meanwhile, the Wada police have found the skeleton of a woman near the forested patch of a fort where people from Mumbai and nearby areas go for trekking. The woman is believed to be between 30-35 years old. The police suspect she might have lost balance while trekking on the slippery stone. "The identity has not been established yet. We have registered an accidental death report," said investigating officer API SK Jadhav.

Cops said residents Shelte village alerted them about the skeleton on Sunday. Village sarpanch Raju Gaikar said, "A few youth told me about the foul smell in the area. We went there and noticed a woman lying face down. She was wearing a red top and green salwar." The body has been buried after an autopsy. "She was wearing one earring, anklet and a wrist watch. We have handed over the belongings to the Wada police," Gaikar said.

3-3.30 am
When Kadam was murdered on Monday