Elderly Woman Strangled, Hidden in Bed Cabinet
In a shocking incident in Mumbai's Goregaon suburb, a 63-year-old woman was discovered dead, concealed inside the cabinet of an iron bed at her residence on Wednesday. The victim, identified as Ragini Savardekar, died due to strangulation, as confirmed by post-mortem reports on Thursday. The police have launched a manhunt for her 65-year-old partner, Pradeep Baskoti, who has been missing for three days and is the primary suspect in the murder case.
Discovery of the Crime and Suspect's Disappearance
The grim discovery was made after neighbours grew concerned about the couple. The chain of events began when Savardekar's nephew, Nitin Ambekar, received a call from his aunt's neighbour on Wednesday. The neighbour revealed that Baskoti had visited him on May 5, handing over his house keys and stating that he and his wife were leaving for south Mumbai. However, both their mobile phones remained switched off afterwards, raising alarm.
Later that evening, residents alerted the local police, who then forced open the couple's home in Motilal Nagar, Goregaon. Inside, they found Savardekar unconscious within the bed's cabinet. She was rushed to the Trauma Care Hospital in Jogeshwari but was declared dead on arrival by doctors. Ambekar, who rushed to the scene, mentioned the couple had domestic arguments but was unaware of any major dispute.
Complex Relationship and Possible Motives
Investigations into the couple's background revealed a complicated relationship. Savardekar lived with her elderly mother until the latter's death a few years ago. She had met Baskoti around 14 years ago. Relatives disclosed that Baskoti was already married with children but entered into a relationship with Savardekar without legally separating from his wife. "We were not happy with the match and distanced ourselves from the couple," a relative stated.
Relatives have pointed police towards potential property disputes as a motive, noting that Savardekar owned property. In a disturbing revelation, a relative also mentioned that Savardekar's jewellery was stolen from the house a few months prior, and the thief was never found.
Ambekar expressed suspicion about the crime's nature, stating, "My aunt would have put up a tough fight... I wonder if there was more than one assailant involved." He has demanded a thorough police investigation into these angles.
Police Investigation and Manhunt Intensifies
Deputy Commissioner of Police Anand Bhoite confirmed that a murder case has been registered and a search is underway for Pradeep Baskoti. The crime branch has also initiated a parallel investigation. Details about Baskoti's recent employment indicate he previously worked with an app-based cab service but was currently unemployed.
The police are piecing together the timeline and motives behind this brutal crime, focusing on the suspect's sudden disappearance and the circumstances leading to Savardekar's murder.
