Woman Arrested for Brutal Murder of Ex-Boyfriend's Wife in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
In a shocking incident that has rattled the industrial-residential neighbourhood of Waluj in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a 43-year-old woman allegedly stormed into a flat and brutally stabbed her former boyfriend's wife to death on Wednesday morning. The crime, which occurred between 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM at Sai Shraddha Park in Bajajnagar, involved the use of a sharp weapon and an air pistol, leaving the local community in a state of profound distress due to its sheer brutality.
Victim and Accused Identified
Police have identified the victim as Sadhna Sonpethkar, a 42-year-old woman who is survived by her husband, Mahendra, and two teenage children. Mahendra works as an employee with an industrial house in the MIDC Waluj area. The accused, Shaila Sonar, is a 43-year-old woman who separated from her husband in 2017 and currently resides with her two children, including a 17-year-old son. She runs a small-time business to support her family.
Background of the Dispute
According to police officials, the crime stems from a previously soured relationship between the accused and the victim's husband, which was marred by both personal and monetary disputes. Commissioner of Police Pravin Pawar revealed that in August 2024, Shaila Sonar had lodged a formal complaint accusing Mahendra of sexually exploiting her under the false pretext of marriage and engaging in financial cheating. A chargesheet has already been filed in that case, and authorities are now investigating the specific triggers that led to the violent outburst on Wednesday morning.
Detailed Account of the Attack
The incident unfolded when the accused entered the victim's first-floor flat in a three-storeyed building. She sat on the drawing room sofa, where she was confronted by the victim's 65-year-old mother-in-law, Kesharbai, who questioned her presence and intentions. As the verbal exchange intensified, Sadhna Sonpethkar entered the room and also began questioning Shaila Sonar, leading to a heated argument.
In a sudden and dramatic escalation, the accused allegedly pulled out an air pistol and placed it on the victim's head, triggering a violent scuffle inside the house. During the struggle, the weapon fell to the ground twice, and the elderly mother-in-law managed to pick it up and throw it out of a window to prevent its further use.
Kesharbai stated in her police complaint that the accused then took out a pepper spray and sprayed it on both her and her daughter-in-law's faces, temporarily incapacitating them. Seizing the opportunity, Shaila Sonar launched a frenzied knife attack on Sadhna, stabbing her multiple times on the head, neck, back, and face. The assault was so severe that it left the victim's face disfigured, according to officers at the scene.
Police Response and Investigation
Hearing the commotion, alert neighbours immediately notified the police, who rushed to the spot and found the accused hiding in the victim's flat. Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone-I) Pankaj Atulkar reported that Shaila Sonar was apprehended on the spot. During the investigation, police recovered the knife used in the murder along with the suspected firearm from the premises.
Forensic examination confirmed that the weapon was an air pistol, with no signs of bullets being fired. Authorities are now investigating the source of this air pistol, which closely resembles an original firearm, as well as the sharp-edged weapon, described as larger than a typical kitchen knife.
Injuries and Motive
The accused also sustained injuries during the attack, possibly while wielding the sharp weapon. She has suffered deep cuts on both of her hands and is currently undergoing treatment at a government medical college and hospital. Police suspect that she walked to the victim's flat, latched the door from inside, and then proceeded with the violent spree.
Preliminary investigations, supported by the previously filed FIR, indicate that Shaila Sonar and Mahendra were in a relationship before it deteriorated, leading to the tragic events. The case continues to be under active investigation as authorities piece together the full sequence of events and motives behind this horrific crime.
