Maharashtra MSME director arrested in connection with murder of businessman

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Prashant Parlewar, Director of the Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the Maharashtra government, was arrested by the Nagpur Crime Branch on Tuesday night in connection with the alleged contract killing of businessman Puroshattam Puttewar, a senior police officer said, reported news agency PTI.

The police also detained the personal assistant of the Maharashtra MSME director and Puttewar's daughter-in-law, Archana Manish Puttewar (53), who serves as Assistant Director in the Town Planning Department in Gadchiroli, he said, reported PTI.

Identified as Payal Nageshwar, the personal assistant hails from Bayramji town, said the official, reported PTI.

The Maharashtra MSME director was arrested and will be produced in court on Wednesday for remand, said DCP (Detection) Nimit Goyal.

The investigation has led to a total of six arrests, including Archana Puttewar, and several others allegedly involved in the conspiracy, reported PTI.

Officials said incident dates back to May 22 when Puttewar (82) was fatally hit by a car. Initially registered as a fatal accident, further investigation uncovered evidence of a premeditated murder and alleged contract killing, reported PTI.

The murder appears to be linked to a property dispute.

In another case, a man was killed in Nagpur during an argument over speeding and reckless driving, a police official said on Monday, reported PTI.

Dilip Shahu (34) was confronted by his brother-in-law Ganesh Shahu (29) on Sunday night, which led to the former being stabbed to death, the Beltarodi police station official said, reported PTI.

"Ganesh asked Dilip why he had driven his motorcycle recklessly in front of the former's house. As the argument escalated, Ganesh stabbed Dilip to death and injured a man who was with the deceased," the official said.

Meanwhile, a man was attacked and killed by three persons in a dispute over a woman in Maharashtra's Nagpur city, police said on Sunday, reported PTI.

The police have arrested a 19-year-old man and detained two juveniles in connection with the attack that took place in the MIDC area late on Saturday night, an official said.

The accused attacked the victim, Badal Bhaurao Nimbarte (27), a labour contractor, with sharp-edged weapons and killed him on the spot, he said, reported PTI.

Nimbarte had allegedly made advances at the accused, Raj Anil Patil's girlfriend, and the latter had warned him to stay away from her, the official said, reported PTI.

A case has been registered against the accused under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code, he said.

(With inputs from PTI)