Bakery Duo Arrested for Premeditated Murder of Lender
In a significant breakthrough, the Hingoli Local Crime Branch has arrested two individuals for the alleged murder of a 58-year-old private moneylender in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The accused have been identified as Sudarshan Phad (35), the owner of a bakery, and his employee, Ziaullah Khan (33). Their victim was Punjabrao More, a resident of Hanuman Nagar in Balapur.
Discovery of the Body and Police Response
The case came to light on December 1, when the body of Punjabrao More was discovered in a roadside nullah near the Koparwadi forest area. The victim's hands were tied, indicating foul play. The discovery of the unidentified body caused considerable panic among local residents.
Superintendent of Police Shrikrishna Kokate stated that the condition of the body made it evident this was a well-planned murder. He immediately directed the formation of special teams with a dual mandate: to establish the victim's identity and to crack the case swiftly. "I directed teams to identify the deceased and crack the case at the earliest," SP Kokate said.
The Investigation Unfolds
Acting on these instructions, a collaborative effort began. Inspector Mohan Bhosale of the Local Crime Branch and Inspector Vishnukant Gutthe of the Balapur police station successfully traced and confirmed the victim's identity as Punjabrao More.
With the identity established but no immediate leads, SP Kokate formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Assistant Inspector Shivsambh Gheware. This team undertook a meticulous investigation, which included:
- A detailed inspection of the crime scene.
- Scanning hours of CCTV footage from multiple locations.
- Analysing technical intelligence and financial records.
"We pieced together the victim's last movements and financial links. Confidential inputs helped us zero in on the suspects," explained Assistant Inspector Gheware.
Motive and Method of the Crime
The investigation revealed a clear financial motive behind the brutal crime. Police established that nearly three years ago, bakery owner Sudarshan Phad had borrowed approximately Rs 5 lakh from the moneylender, Punjabrao More.
Instead of repaying the substantial debt, Phad allegedly devised a plan to eliminate the lender. He reportedly enlisted the help of his employee, Ziaullah Khan. According to the police, on November 30, Phad invited More to his bakery for tea. Later, when More decided to rest on the premises, the duo allegedly strangled him using a wire.
After committing the murder, they transported the body and dumped it in the isolated Koparwadi forest area, where it was found the following morning. "This was a cold and calculated murder driven purely by financial motives," emphasized SP Shrikrishna Kokate.
Both accused are currently in police custody. The Hingoli police have confirmed that further investigation into the case is actively underway to explore all angles and ensure a watertight prosecution.
