Londhe’s phone unlikely to be found

Main accused, aide sent to judicial custody; probe in final stage

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The chances of recovering the mobile phone of retired professor Rajaram Londhe have dimmed, as the accused now claim it was thrown into the Mutha river in Pune.

After the murder, prime accused Vishal Rathod allegedly disposed of the phone through his friend Akshay Shete (24, Chitegaon). Initially, they claimed it was discarded near Shaniwar Wada, but later said it was thrown into the river. Police, with the help of the fire brigade and divers, searched the river but failed to recover the device. Rathod and his brother-in-law Akash Pawar were arrested on March 14, followed by Karan Ade, who helped bury the body. After their police custody ended, Rathod and Ade were remanded to judicial custody. Meanwhile, Shete’s police custody has been extended by four days. Police suspect that photos and videos were recorded during the Pune trip, possibly including footage of the phone being discarded, and efforts are on to seize them. Officials said sufficient evidence has been collected, including details of financial dealings between Londhe and Rathod, and the investigation is now in its final stage.