The Nagpur police cracked the murder of 38-year-old hotelier Rahul Shahu within 12 hours after tracing the source of a puppy milk label on the sack used to dispose of his body near Nara crematorium. The breakthrough came shortly after Wednesday midnight, leading the Jaripatka police to the accused, Naveen Pundkar, a pet shop owner-turned-rickshaw driver.
How the Clue Led to the Accused
Senior inspector Anil Takshande and his team spotted a printed label on one of the sacks — a discarded puppy milk pouch from a local pet shop. Realizing this could be a vital clue, officers launched a swift search for pet shops in the Jaripatka area that stocked such pouches. A pet shop in Jaripatka was found closed, but residents identified the owner as Navin from Nara. Police zeroed in on Naveen Pundkar, 46, an e-rickshaw driver residing in Kohinoor Society, Nara, in north Nagpur.
Motive Behind the Murder
During interrogation, Pundkar revealed that Shahu had lent him Rs 35,000 at a high interest rate. After Pundkar repaid the principal and interest, Shahu allegedly continued to harass him and made derogatory comments about his teenage daughter, offering to waive the Rs 35,000 interest in exchange for "favours," police said. Enraged, Pundkar lured Shahu to his rented house in Nara on April 20. Shahu parked his scooter near a convention centre on Kamptee Road and went to Pundkar's house. As Pundkar's wife and daughter were away, the two discussed the matter, leading to a heated argument.
The Attack and Disposal
In a fit of rage, Pundkar stabbed Shahu repeatedly before wrapping the body in a red blanket and stuffing it into two sacks. He then went about his regular e-rickshaw duty to avoid suspicion before deciding to dump the body late at night under the Nara Ghat bridge after Monday midnight. The puppy milk sack, which he picked from his own pet shop stock, became the key evidence that unraveled the case.
Victim Identification and Investigation
Shahu, who ran a hotel at Acharaj Tower in Zingabai Takli, was murdered on April 20. His elder brother Lucky filed a missing report at Sadar police station the next day. On April 22, locals alerted cops after a foul smell emanated near Nara Ghat. The decomposed body was recovered from a drain under the bridge at Nara Ghat. An autopsy revealed 16 stab wounds on the body, including deep injuries on the forehead, confirming a frenzied attack. Police identified Shahu through the 'Om Sairam' tattoo on his left hand. The accused has been arrested and produced before court, which remanded him in police custody till April 26.
