Family suspected that Keshav Patil, who was suffering from diabetes, had committed suicide out of depression. But, unable to find the cash or jewellery, victim's family realised he was killed in a robbery
The family of a 76-year-old farmer were just about coming to terms with the loss of their beloved, when they were in for a rude shock. The farmer, identified as Keshav Patil, was found dead with his throat slit on April 28 at his Thane residence. The family suspected that Patil, who was suffering from diabetes, had committed suicide out of depression.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, on Tuesday, when the family found cash and jewellery missing from their house they began to suspect foul play and registered a murder case with the Shil-Daighar police, Patil’s throat was slit using an iron sheet-cutter. The suspects, who entered the house through the window, also robbed gold ornaments and Rs 50,000 cash — amounting to Rs 4.76 lakh in total.
“We had earlier registered a case of accidental death based on what his son said. He claimed that his father was suffering from chronic diabetes and might have committed suicide because of frustration,” said Manohar Awhad, police inspector, Shil-Daighar police station, who is investigating the case.
‘It’s murder’
However, on May 3, Keshav’s son Navnat, who runs a local business, asked the police to file a case of murder against two people — Shamrao Jadhav and Shreeram Rathod — who had come to their house to repair some iron sheets.
“First, I suspected it to be a suicide, but, later, when we were about to perform his last rites, I found gold ornaments missing from the cupboard. That raised our suspicion,” said Navnat.
The murder may have taken place at 1:30 pm, when Keshav was resting at his residence after lunch. Patil’s wife had gone to her parents’ home in Karjat a few days before the incident.
The accused are on the run and have been booked under Sections 460 (all persons jointly concerned in lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night punishable where death or grievous hurt caused by one of them), 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
