A 40-year-old man has been arrested by Kalyan Taluka police for allegedly murdering his friend during a picnic outing near the Khadavli river and dumping the body in a secluded area, according to police officials.
Arrest and Court Appearance
The accused, identified as Yogesh Eknath Rane, was arrested and produced before a Kalyan court, which remanded him to police custody until May 2. Investigators revealed that the victim, Raju Prabhulkar, had accompanied Rane to the Khadavli river on April 20. This location is commonly used by locals for bathing and summer picnics.
Sequence of Events
Police stated that after bathing, Rane entrusted his money to Prabhulkar for safekeeping while they washed their clothes. However, when Rane later requested the return of his money, Prabhulkar allegedly refused and attempted to leave, sparking a heated argument between the two. In a fit of rage, Rane reportedly picked up a stone and repeatedly struck Prabhulkar on the head, causing fatal injuries on the spot. To conceal the crime, he transported the body and dumped it in a remote area within the limits of Ju village in Khadavli.
Discovery and Investigation
The case came to light when locals spotted the body and alerted the authorities. Kalyan Taluka police registered a murder case and launched an investigation. Senior Police Inspector Mukesh Dhage of Kalyan Taluka police station stated, "Despite having no immediate leads, our team relied on CCTV footage and technical surveillance to trace the accused's movements. Rane was eventually tracked to the Parel–Nagpada area in Mumbai, from where he was apprehended."
Background of the Accused
Police disclosed that the accused is a native of Waklghar in Shrivardhan taluka and has previous serious offences registered against him at Raigad’s Dighi coastal and Navghar police stations. The investigation is ongoing.
