Mumbai: Woman, lover held for killing her husband

A photo of Mansoora with Ganesh Pandit; (right) Riyaz Ali, the deceased

The Pelhar police under the Mira Bhayander Vasai-Virar (MBVV) jurisdiction filed a case of murder, which initially appeared as accidental death. They have detained the wife of the deceased and her lover. On August 21, Riyaz Ali, 55, who was living along with his wife Mansoora, 35, was brought home dead under mysterious circumstances.

According to sources, Riyaz and Mansoora were living in the Dhanu Bagh area of Nalasopara East along with their two kids. Riyaz used to sell fish while Mansoora worked at a grocery shop in the neighborhood. It is alleged that Mansoora fell in love with the shop owner Ganesh Pandit. The duo hatched a plan to eliminate her husband so she was free of the marriage. Pandit sent some of his acquaintances on a picnic to Kolam beach with Riyaz. In the evening, they returned with Riyaz's body in a tempo and spread a rumour that he got drunk and died after falling over.

Speaking with mid-day, Riyaz's sister Noorjahan Khan said, "I had heard about Mansoora and Pandit's relationship and even told Riyaz about it but he ignored it. When I saw several objectionable photos of Mansoora with Pandit on her cell phone, I got suspicious. I asked her about Riyaz's death and also told her to tell the truth… I told her if she has any involvement I will save her."

Mansoora then opened up and confessed that Pandit had planned to kill Riyaz, the sources said. She said she was aware that Pandit was planning to kill Riyaz but didn't know when or if he would actually go ahead with the plan.

Meanwhile, the body was sent for an autopsy and the preliminary post-mortem examination revealed injuries on Riyaz's head. While the Tulinj police had earlier registered a case of accidental death, a murder case was registered on Thursday night. The case was also transferred to the Pelhar police station as the Riyaz was killed in their jurisdiction.

"Based on the post-mortem report we have registered a case and detained two suspects including Mansoora. No arrests have been made yet as an investigation is underway," said senior inspector Vasant Labde of Pelhar police station.

The Pelhar police have registered a case of murder against Mansoora and five to six of her acquaintances including Pandit.

They detained Mansoora and Pandit on Thursday and began investigating the murder. "They brutally killed my brother. He had an injury on the head as well as other parts of his body. I request the police to do him justice," Noorjahan added.

Aug 21
Day the ‘murder' took place